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Farmers protest inheritance tax changes – but are they really the victims?

‘Farmers paid nothing for 40 years’
Farmers once again took their protest to Westminster over changes to inheritance tax (Metro, Thu). It’s a bit rich that farmers – unbeknown to many people – were exempt from inheritance tax in the first place.

This exemption, it turns out, was given to them by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1984.

I am not rich but my property is worth more than £500,000. Even if my children inherit it, they have to pay 40 per cent tax on anything over that amount.

For 40 years, farmers paid nothing, now some will have to pay 20 per cent and they still feel hard done by.

We all know that many of them will still not have to pay anything so their protests are typical of many of them who are very well off, wanting it all.

Also it’s pitiful that they are highlighting the suicide of farmers being caused by this.

Over the past 40 years, we have had numerous reports on the high level of suicide rates of farmers and that has been when they paid no inheritance 
tax, so I am not sure that this is an honest argument. Corin, London

King Charles choice to go meat-free helps more than his health

‘Upgrading from meat to vegan foods helps spare gentle animals’
It is unsurprising that King Charles has decided to ditch red meat following his treatment for prostate cancer.

Studies link red meat – particularly processed meats – to increased risks of all manner of ailments.

Eliminating red meat is thought to reduce one’s risk of many forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and Alzheimer’s, and adding fibre from plants will undoubtedly mean better digestive health (and less time on the other throne).

But importantly, upgrading from meat to vegan foods helps spare gentle animals from short, miserable lives on filthy factory farms and painful deaths at slaughterhouses.

The UK is home to an endless array of delicious vegan options, making it easier than ever to feast like a royal without an animal’s body part in sight.
Jennifer White, Senior Media And Communications Manager, PETA

Is the greenbelt about to be lost forever?

‘Future generations will suffer’
The Labour government’s aggressive plans to concrete over the green belt – as it pursues plans to build 1.5million houses within five years – will destroy wildlife habitats and further increase carbon emissions.

Are we so blind to permit this now for future generations to suffer?
Everything that can be done to stop this madness must be done now, before it is too late. James Loton, via email

Will Labour’s VAT hike close private schools and set fees soaring?

‘This government decision needs to be reversed’
My wife and I are extremely disappointed by the government’s decision to increase the cost of education for those attending private schools by removing the schools’ exemption from paying VAT, which is 20 per cent.

The majority of those who are about pay increased fees from January will be doing so with money already taxed at 40 per cent or more.

According to government stats, the cost of state education is around £7,600 per capita annually. As a result, pupils in private education are significantly reducing the cost of state education. This saving amounts to millions of pounds each year.

We are already paying a very significant amount to help with our grandson’s education from income already taxed at 40 per cent.

We are both unwilling and unable to support an additional 20 per cent hike as a result of Labour’s October budget.

This will be the case for many others, with the result that some children will need to be educated in state schools. This could lead to a domino effect where the cost of private education increases even further.

This could lead to closure of a number of private schools resulting in fewer places available across the country.

This government decision needs to be reversed before irreparable damage is done to the private education sector. Alan and Lorraine, Wiltshire

Crossword victories and a vowel disorder

Thank you, Metro. I was able to finish Tuesday’s Quick Crossword after a few weeks of baffling attempts only to manage about half! It’s great that we crossword fans can now go back, almost, and forget feeling on the dim side! Connie, Gloucester

I met someone today who had a vowel disorder. They were quite clearly inconsonant. Dave Hughes, Chigwell