Rising demand for Napthens Farm Future scheme

North west law firm Napthens has experienced a spike in demand from farmers for its dedicated service to the rural community since the government’s controversial decision to impose a cap of £1m on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief combined for inheritance tax. 

The number of farming clients signing up to the firm’s Farm Future offering has risen to more than 600 following the announcement in the Budget that imposed 20 per cent inheritance tax on farms which are worth more than the available reliefs. 

Although the government has calculated that 500 farms will be affected by the measure in the 2026-2027 financial year, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, which represents businesses in UK agriculture, claims that as many as 2,500 could be affected every year. 

The National Farmers Union (NFU) believes two thirds of the UK’s 209,000 farms will be affected, while the Country Land and Business Association put the figure at about 70,000. 

Andrew Holden, partner and head of rural at Napthens, said: “The shock announcement about inheritance tax being imposed on certain farms in the Budget makes it more important than ever for the rural community to plan ahead to protect their property, business and future generations of farmers.” 

Headed by Andrew, Farm Future provides six solicitors dedicated purely to acting for farmers and landowners and applies to anyone in the rural community from lifestyle farmers to national multi-site operators and landed estates. 

Among the many specialisms of Farm Future is the issue of succession planning – the key issue for farmers who claim that the imposition of inheritance tax from 2026 would spell the end of many family farms because they would have to sell their land to pay the tax rather than pass in on to their children. 

Andrew added: “As an NFU legal panel member for many years, our rural team at Napthens has an in-depth understanding of the many issues facing the agricultural sector and challenges involved in running and developing a commercially successful farming business. 

“We’ve seen first-hand how changes in traditional family partnership structures, combined with the ever changing political and economic climate, make it more important than ever for farmers and their families to have in place well-structured succession plans.”