10

Lack of consultation and assessment for property relief reforms causes concern

Conclusion
We are concerned, however, that no consultation, impact assessment, or affordability assessment was conducted before the announcement of the reforms. The lack of proper evaluation of the impact of these changes means that the scale and nature of its impact on family farms, land values, tenant farmers, food security and farmers in the devolved administrations is disputed and unclear and comes with a considerable risk of negative unintended consequences. As such, the reforms threaten to affect the most vulnerable, including those who are older or are farming less profitable or tenanted holdings. The real concerns of farmers are demonstrated in recent data on farmer confidence and mental health. (Conclusion, Paragraph 47)
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 3 September 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.3 yr
Report published 16 May 2025