Re: OT: Murder Rate

Just in time for the devaluation of the pound sterling in terms of buying power.

Umm. are you thinking of inheritance or IHT avoidance?

Indeed. Apart from potentially lowering the cost of food production this acts as a lever to encourage the *letting* of land. (the tax reliefs only apply to the agricultural value).

I don't know what you mean by "agricultural value". The exemption applies to land and buildings used for agriculture (which includes market gardens) - IIRC much as it has since the total exemption was introduced in 1929 in the Great Depression. If you meant it doesn't apply to farm shops or barns converted to beauty parlours then yes - that's why it was called the "exemption of agricultural land and buildings" :)

As for the exemption encouraging letting, I'd welcome a pointer to how. ISTM rather unlikely that landowners these days would otherwise leave the land unworked and lose the IHT relief. And if they work the land (or pay a manager to do so) they get the same exemption from rates as a tenant.

I was commenting on (IHT) taxation reliefs available for agricultural land. Currently 50% for secured tenancies and 100% for Farm Business Tenancies. This does not apply to any *development hope* value sadly.

So the elderly landowner chooses between working the land himself / employing a manager or perhaps lets the land and pockets the rent.

I'm sure some have done well out of Brexit. But they will not be the majority who voted for it.

I'm surprised you didn't know jesus was said to look out for the poor and underprivileged.