The Perfect Storm: Labour's Tax Policies and the Mental Health Crisis in Farming.
Our deep-rooted connections to the farming community give us a unique understanding of the pressures they face, and today, those pressures are mounting to dangerous levels.
The Labour government's new inheritance tax policies, coupled with the existing challenges in agriculture, have created a perfect storm for mental health difficulties in the farming sector. This is an issue we cannot afford to ignore. Farming, already an industry with the highest suicide rate in the UK, is now being pushed to breaking point.
The Mental Health Crisis in Farming
Farming is a way of life for many, but it’s also a profession that demands long hours, isolation, and relentless physical labour, often for minimal financial return. According to RABI’s 2021 Big Farming Survey, 36% of farmers in the UK are probably or possibly depressed, and nearly half (47%) struggle constantly with anxiety. Alarmingly, just 8% of women and 12% of men reported having good mental well-being.
This crisis isn't new, but recent policy changes have exacerbated the situation. The strain of managing unpredictable weather, fluctuating market prices, and razor-thin profit margins has always been heavy. Now, the Labour government’s cap on inheritance tax relief has added another devastating burden, with many farmers left fearing for the future of their family businesses.
The Impact of Labour's Inheritance Tax Policies
The government’s approach demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding about farming. Owning land does not equate to wealth. For many farmers, their assets are tied up in their land and machinery, leaving little cash flow for day-to-day operations. They work tirelessly, yet often struggle to break even.
These changes have real human consequences. A recent heart-breaking case involves a farmer who took his own life, consumed by the fear of his family losing their £2 million estate, which had been in their hands since the 1950s. Stories like this highlight how policy decisions, made without understanding the realities of farming, are putting lives at risk.
Standing with Farmers
As wholesalers who deeply value our relationships with British farms, we at Thorogood’s are devastated to witness the human toll of these policies. Farmers are the backbone of our rural communities and the custodians of our countryside. The mental health crisis within the sector is a symptom of broader neglect and misunderstanding of what it means to farm in Britain today.
The Labour government must reconsider these harmful policies. Without change, we risk losing not only the family farms that define our rural landscape but also the lives of those who dedicate themselves to feeding our nation.
If you know a farmer who is struggling, encourage them to seek help from one of the many charities offering confidential support:
RABI helpline: 0800 188 4444 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)
Farming Community Network (FCN): 03000 111 999 (7am-11pm daily)
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Together, we must advocate for fair policies that safeguard the mental health, livelihoods, and legacies of our farming families. British farmers deserve better. Let’s stand up for them before it’s too late.
S. Thorogood & Sons
Fighting for Farmers Since 1922.