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Andy Burnham is considering axing the hated Family Farm Tax following a huge backlash from rural communities and an Express campaign. An announcement confirming the levy has been abolished could be made in the Budget on October 28. Mr Burnham’s advisers are said to believe it would be a relatively cheap way of showing his Government is different to that of his predecessor in Number 10, Sir Keir Starmer. The tax has been condemned by celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson among others.

Our “Save Our Family Farms” crusade has called on Mr Burnham to reverse plans initially introduced by Sir Keir and ex-Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which will impose inheritance tax on family-owned British farms for the first time. The hugely unpopular levy has seen protestors bringing tractors to Westminster, and campaigners warning they will be forced to sell their farms.

Protests have been backed by television star Jeremy Clarkson as well as senior politicians from across parties, such as Labour’s David Blunkett and Conservative former Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Burnham’s team are understood to be concerned that the Prime Minister is seen as focusing too much on cities, such as Manchester, where he was mayor. A Countryside Alliance survey found 43% of those living in villages say they believe Labour has “waged war” on rural Britain.

Axing the levy would cost the Treasury £300 million annually, a relatively modest sum compared to other tax cuts. It could also help the 135 Labour MPs set to defend rural constituencies at the next election.

As well as abolishing it entirely, the Government is considering raising the threshold people start paying the tax to £5 million.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.”

Reform’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said: “If John Healey won’t scrap the family farms tax, Reform will. This cruel tax has wrought untold misery on farmers. It’s even cost lives. Rachel Reeves should be ashamed.”