JCP Solicitors Joins NFU Cymru At Wales Office Minister Meeting

As the South Wales law firm for the NFU Legal Panel since 2008, at JCP Solicitors we are proud to provide expert legal advice and guidance to members of the National Farmers’ Union Cymru.

Rated as a top tier firm in Wales for Agriculture and Estates in the Legal 500, our Rural Services team advises on all areas of agricultural law including property, common land, environmental issues, estate planning, family matters, partnership agreements, succession planning, and more.

Recently, one of our Directors and Head of Lifetime Planning, Sean Boucher, accompanied the NFU Cymru President Aled Jones and Deputy President Abi Reader to meet with Dame Nia Griffith MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State of Wales, and treasury officials to discuss the challenges the agricultural sector is facing due to proposed changes to Inheritance Tax.

Sean Boucher, Director and Head of Lifetime Planning at JCP Solicitors, said: “Serving as the panel firm for NFU Cymru allows us to bring real-world experience to high-level discussions about how changes to legislation impact agricultural businesses and families in Wales. Meeting with policy advisors is a vital part of this work, as it gives us the chance to explain how policy developments are playing out in real time, with real people.

“At JCP Solicitors, we advise dozens of farming families on all areas of rural law; for many, a large focus is on succession planning. Our experience tells us that the policy changes proposed for Inheritance Tax are not fit for all farming families, and greater consideration is needed for families’ individual circumstances when it comes to these reforms.

“Discussing the lived experience of those working in the rural sector was an excellent opportunity to share learnings and give a voice to Welsh farmers, and we hope the discussions are communicated back to UK Government colleagues and policymakers.”

Aled Jones, NFU Cymru President, said: “I am grateful to the Minister for meeting with us. Farmers in Wales stand to be severely impacted by these policy proposals, and for many the opportunity to plan ahead for the transfer of the business and minimise the tax liability simply isn’t there perhaps due to old age or declining health. My real concern is that farmers who are working on very low margins, will, when presented with a hefty inheritance tax bill, simply chose to exit the sector instead of carrying on with the business. This will then have profound implications for our rural economy and communities as well as our national food security.

“We used the meeting with the Minister Nia Griffith to re-iterate our calls for a pause and review of this Treasury policy, as well as further consideration of our alternative ‘clawback’ proposals.”

Further to discussions around Inheritance Tax changes, NFU Cymru also called for improved funding for Welsh agriculture from the UK Government.

Abi Reader, NFU Cymru Deputy President, said: “We were pleased to be able to meet with the Wales Office and discuss a number of important issues. Although agriculture is of course devolved there are some matters which are in the hands of the UK Government including decisions around taxation, future funding and some of the decisions around border biosecurity. I am grateful to the Minister and the officials we met with for their time and I very much hope that they can take forward the concerns we raised with them to their colleagues in London.”

If you have concerns about how the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax will impact your farm, JCP Solicitors can help. Get in touch with our rural law team Call 03333 208644 or email hello@jcpsolicitors.co.uk to find out how our legal experts can advise you.