Farmer took his own life ‘after Rachel Reeves’ inheritance tax raid’

A “kind hearted” farmer tragically took his own life after Rachel Reeves’ crushing inheritance tax raid, his son said.

John Charlesworth, 78, was found dead at his 70-acre farm in Barnsley, Yorkshire, on Tuesday, 24 hours before the Budget.

He was devastated at the thought his relatives might lose his £2 million estate, which had been in the family since 1957.

His son Jonathan, 46, said his father ended his life after being “eaten away” at Labour’s plans to end the practice of letting all farmers pass on estates without inheritance tax marking the “final straw” for John.

The father of two had been caring for his sick wife.

In a harrowing message to Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, he said: “I would tell them they’ve killed my Dad.

“He didn’t know the details but all the scaremongering around it beforehand frightened him to death.”

Jonathan told The Telegraph: “He was the most kindhearted person you’d ever meet, my Dad. He wouldn’t take any nonsense.

“He would do anything for anybody, I don’t think anyone had a bad word to say about my Dad.”

Previously, farmland and associated buildings had benefited from ‘agricultural property relief’.

However, anyone inheriting working farmland and its buildings will have to pay 20% tax on valuations over £1 million from April 2026 following the Budget.

With farmland alone worth about £10,000 an acre, any estate of over just 100 acres looks set to be liable. – although Reeves says only 27% of farms across the country will be affected.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw has urged his members to descend on Church House in Westminster on November 19 to take their fight to the Government.

The NFU president added that he was “absolutely baffled” at the Government’s decision to “double down” on inheritance tax on farms.

He said: “Farmers, I know many of you are feeling angry and betrayed.

“We share that frustration. We understand what the impact of this ‘family farm tax’ could have on you, your farm and your family.”