Farmers at ‘breaking point’ as hundreds admit to suffering ‘hidden problem’ amid Labour’s inheritance tax bombshell
Hundreds of farmers have started to admit they have been suffering from a “hidden problem” as Labour’s inheritance tax raid on family farms looms.
The Farm Safety Foundation – a charity that seeks to prevent suicide – saw a 55 per cent increase in the need for its counselling services, as well as a 13 per cent rise in the number of calls to its crisis support line from last year.
The charity noticed the leap in figures after Rachel Reeves announced her inheritance tax raid when she delivered her October Budget.
Beef farmer Daniel Boomer, 22, is just one of the farmers affected by the tax hike.
“It’s really affected people’s mental health because it’s constant. It’s that weight on your chest every day,” he told The Express.
He explained that farmers have often felt poorly portrayed by critics as “rich landlords” with an abundance of wealth, yet he has argued this is not the case.
“It’s a pressure cooker. Everything’s just boiling and busting and something will break at some point. I’ve been very close to taking my own life.
“I knew I had to speak to someone about it because it was really hurting me every day. And every day it gets heavier and heavier,” Boomer admitted.
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The 22-year-old has now become an ambassador for the Farm Safety Foundation – an organisation which serves to address mental health struggles amongst rural communities.
Its manager Stephanie Berkeley has now demanded that Labour ministers must provide improved services to those struggling in the agricultural industry.
She explained that Labour must work to “ease the pressure” on charities similar to theirs who are heavily relied upon during moments of distress.
The rise in calls to the charity’s helpline has come as a result of farmers leaving it “until they’re in a crisis situation” before searching for support.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
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