The NFU has put out an urgent message to farmers in Labour constituencies to get in touch with their MPs this afternoon (December 2).
According to sources in Westminster there is due to be a vote on Resolution 50 of the Finance Bill tonight, which is the part that relates to Inheritance Tax.
Farmers are urged to ask their Labour MPs to abstain from the vote.
The vote is not binding but abstentions at this stage will clearly demonstrate that backbench MPs oppose the current policy, putting more pressure on the government to make amendments..
Listen to an update from NFU President Tom Bradshaw () on IHT.
鈥� National Farmers' Union (@NFUtweets)
We have heard from sources in Westminster that there will be a vote on the Finance Bill and Inheritance Tax tonight.
READ NOW: Save Britain's Family Farms
There has been mounting opposition to the family farm tax. More than 275,000 members of the public have called on the government to make changes to the policy; trade associations representing 160,000 family businesses wrote to the Chancellor calling for reform to the policy; MPs from across the political divide have told the Chancellor about the impact it will have on the rural communities they represent; and independent tax experts have suggested changes to make it more targeted.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "Tonight's vote is an opportunity for Labour MPs to show that they truly back the working people of the countryside 鈥� farmers.
"Without change, the family farm tax will trap the most vulnerable members of our community, the elderly and terminally ill, with no ability to plan. It's inhumane and it's cruel.
"We are urging Labour MPs to abstain from the vote and show their constituents, both farmers and the public, that they cannot support this pernicious policy in its current state. And we ask anyone in a Labour constituency who cares about Britain's family farms to reach out to their MP with the same message."
