Supermarket giant Morrisons has taken a firm stance in support of farmers protesting against Labour’s inheritance tax changes, in a move praised as “bold” against “left-wing orthodoxy” by GB News commentator Jonathan Kogan.
The grocery chain has become the first major retailer to publicly back farmers in their fight against what critics have dubbed the “family farm tax.”
Speaking to GB News, comedian Jonathan Kogan said: “It’s so unusual to see a big corporation actually back something like this and not the left wing orthodoxy.
“Yeah. You don’t see that with big corporations. So that is actually quite a bold move.”
Jonathan Kogan said that the stance is a “bold” move
GB News
Simon Evans said: “I wouldn’t say whether they were exactly backed Brexit, but they certainly they got behind the understanding that people have backed Brexit and they were quite they have generally been quite sort of ground based.
“I would say on the whole, but they are genuinely supporting the farmers. I don’t think it’s a political move. I think it’s genuine.”
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Sophie Throup, Morrisons’ head of agriculture, posted a video message on social media expressing solidarity with Britain’s farming community.
The supermarket said it shares farmers’ concerns about the impact of Labour’s actions, particularly regarding the future of smaller family-run farms.
In her social media message, Throup offered a comprehensive statement of support to farmers across the nation.
“We want to send a message of support today for the whole of the farming community,” she said.
Morrisons sent a message of support to the farming community
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“We understand your anger and your frustrations at the inheritance tax, and we’re with you.”
“We share your concerns about the long-term future the inheritance tax is going to have on farms, particularly smaller family farms.”
The supermarket has been raising these concerns “at the highest levels of Government” since November last year.
Throup concluded: “We are with you. We’re here to help you. If you want to talk to me, please message me.”
Farmers have signalled that they will not back down over Labour’s tax plansPA
Under changes announced in October, farmers will face a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate on inherited land and property valued above £1 million.
The tax changes have sparked widespread demonstrations from the farming community, including protests at Westminster.
While ministers maintain the measure will only affect the wealthiest quarter of landowners, the National Farmers’ Union strongly disputes this claim.
There are growing concerns that family-run farms operating on tight margins could be forced to sell their land to cover death duties.