The former leader of Pembrokeshire County council is set to question the current administration over why pupils in the county were barred from participating in the ‘wellies to school’ protest against changes to inheritance tax on agricultural property. The protest, which took place on November 19, was part of a wider demonstration led by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in response to the UK Government’s budget.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the Budget that farmers would be required to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land valued over £1 million at a rate of 20 per cent, with a £3m threshold for couples passing on their farms. This is in comparison to a 40 per cent rate on other estates.
However, schools in Pembrokeshire were not permitted to participate in the wellies to school campaign. A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated at the time: “The Education Act 1996 clearly prohibits practitioners from promoting partisan political views, and therefore, our schools are not permitted to promote the farmers’ protest taking place in London today.”
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Former council leader Cllr Jamie Adams is now questioning this decision. In a question submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Jamie Adams states: “The recent spectacle of children wearing wellies to school on November 19, served as a powerful message that rural communities are concerned about the long-term sustainability of agriculture following the Government’s alterations to Agricultural Inheritance Tax.” For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
“This widespread industry underpins the economy, social fabric, community cohesion and in many parts the Welsh language here in Pembrokeshire as much as any rural county due to the high prevalence of family farms,” he added.
The former leader then added: “It was therefore concerning to hear that Pembrokeshire Local Education Authority sought to prevent children from overtly demonstrating their support by this action deeming it as ‘political’. I would therefore like to ask the Leader [Cllr Jon Harvey] how this position was adopted and who actually made the decision? “
Cllr Adams’ question will be heard at the December 12 meeting.