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The son of a farmer who reportedly took his own life due to fears of overwhelming tax increases has criticized Keir Starmer’s last-minute reversal.
John Charlesworth, 78, was sadly found deceased on his 70-acre farm – just hours before was announced in her Budget.
John Charlesworth, 78, was sadly found deceased on his 70-acre farmCredit: PA
He was reportedly heartbroken at the thought that his family might lose his £2 million estateCredit: PA
The Prime Minister quietly announced that the inheritance tax threshold at which the levy applies will increaseCredit: Alamy
He was said to be devastated at the thought that his relatives might lose his £2 million estate, which had been in the family since 1957.
In her , the Chancellor announced to impose a 20 percent inheritance on agricultural estates valued over £1 million.
And his son, Jonathan, stated it was ‘the final straw’ for his father, who had been caring for his ill wife on their farm in , .
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister quietly announced that the would rise from £1 million to £2.5 million.
However, Jonathan has criticized the half-hearted U-turn as “too little, too late” for his father, who had been left terrified by the alarming predictions.
Speaking to The Telegraph , he asserted his father would “definitely” still be alive if not for the Prime Minister’s mishandling of the dreaded “family tax.”
Jonathan expressed frustration: “If we’d known about this [£2.5 million threshold] earlier, he would definitely, definitely still be here.
“I suspect the Prime Minister has suddenly realized that he could be responsible for several deaths if he doesn’t take action.
“The realization dawns that you’re going to be causing the deaths of your own people. The Government should serve the public, not penalize them.”
Jonathan first shared the tragic of his father’s death in an anonymous post on the British Forum.
He wrote in the post: ‘This morning I found my dad in the barn having taken his own life.
“So terrified of the inheritance tax implications on farms, he chose to take his own life rather than see the government take half of the farm.
“As a family, we are heartbroken and in shock!
“This is the human cost of government policy or potential government policy.
“They claim to support the working man, but no one worked harder than dad.
“He expanded the acreage from my grandfather’s time and was proud of what he achieved.”
The Prime Minister reportedly intervened personally after 14 months of protests led by a star.
Thousands of farmers marched on waving signs such as “ farmer harmer” and “No farmers, no food, no future.”
How to Get Help
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK, a life is lost to suicide.
It does not discriminate, impacting individuals from all walks of life – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It is the leading cause of death for people under 35, more lethal than cancer and car accidents.
Moreover, men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women.
Yet, it remains a rarely discussed topic, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all take notice now.
If you, or someone you know, needs assistance dealing with mental health
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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