Ulster Unionist Party Deputy Leader Diana Armstrong MLA has called for the reversal of inheritance tax changes that she says are undermining farm investment and the future of family farms.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA highlighted survey findings showing that more than four in ten respondents have already cut back, postponed or cancelled investment. Almost nine in ten reported increased stress or worry, and seven in ten said they were losing confidence that their farm could be passed on as a going concern. Nearly a quarter faced a potential tax bill of £250,000 or more.

Mrs Armstrong said the figures reflected conversations happening at kitchen tables across rural communities. She noted that the young person expected to take over the farm was now less willing or less able to do so in almost half of cases.

She criticised the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs over the availability of farm capital investment funding, saying farmers were being encouraged to modernise while lacking financial support. She said the Department offered no farm capital investment in 2025, with subsequent support coming at the eleventh hour and not addressing larger investments such as slurry storage and farm buildings.

The MLA said the impact extended beyond individual farming businesses to the wider rural community, including schools, sports teams, local shops and neighbours.

Mrs Armstrong called on the Chancellor to reverse the inheritance tax changes introduced by the previous UK Government. She said her colleague Robin Swann MP had raised the issue at Westminster and would continue to press for changes.

Separately, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins MLA praised Fermanagh Community Transport during Community Transport Week. The Minister visited the organisation at Enniskillen Business Centre and announced £1 million in funding for community transport providers across Northern Ireland to purchase minibuses. Fermanagh Community Transport operates a Dial a Lift service for rural areas and a Disability Action Transport Scheme for those living in Enniskillen.