51AVÊÓÆµ

BBC drama The Archers to tackle Inheritance Tax after criticism from rural groups

Even families in Ambridge will face the fallout of Rachel Reeves' Budget

clock • 1 min read
Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget is to be featured more fully in BBC Radio4 drama The Archers
Image:

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget is to be featured more fully in BBC Radio4 drama The Archers

The BBC has confirmed it will include the family farm tax in its popular rural Radio4 drama .

The broadcaster had received criticism from campaign group the Countryside Alliance who described the lack of mention of Rachel Reeves' Budget and the impact it will have on farming communities as a ‘very strange' omission.

However, a spokesperson for the show, which is the world's longest-running daily drama series, said: "The Archers is recorded several months in advance but we have already made it clear that we plan to cover Inheritance Tax more fully in future storylines.

ACT NOW: Show your support for Farmers Guardian Save Britain's Family Farms campaign

"The programme has a dedicated farming and countryside advisor who works with the team to ensure we accurately reflect the big issues within the rural community.

"Breaking news and developing stories about rural issues are covered in depth across BBC News and programmes such as Farming Today," the spokesperson added.

Inheritance Tax

According to commentators on social media, the only reference so far to the controversial changes to Inheritance Tax which are being introduced by Labour, was a brief statement by dairy farmer and leading character David Archer.

Speaking to his friend Leonard Berry in one episode, the character said: "There is a lot of anger about this new inheritance tax on farms," with Leonard replying: "But we need those taxes to pay for things like the NHS."

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance described it as 'frankly very strange' as The Archers had in the past 'reflected the grassroots feeling in the farming and rural community even on contentious issues'.

Ìý

More on Entertainment

Release date announced for Clarkson's 51AVÊÓÆµSeason 5

Release date announced for Clarkson's 51AVÊÓÆµSeason 5

Prime Video to stream weekly episodes as Jeremy, Kaleb and Charlie deal with the fallout of Labour's family farm tax

clock 20 April 2026 • 2 min read
Jeremy Clarkson posts video in support of Farmers' Choir on Britain's Got Talent

Jeremy Clarkson posts video in support of Farmers' Choir on Britain's Got Talent

The group of farmers, who originally formed to promote Clarkson’s Hawkstone alcohol brand, captured the hearts of the audience and Clarkson himself as they took to the stage of Britain's Got Talent

clock 24 March 2026 • 1 min read
VIDEO: "You work so hard" – Jeremy Clarkson's Farmers' Choir gets golden buzzer on Britain's Got Talent

VIDEO: "You work so hard" – Jeremy Clarkson's Farmers' Choir gets golden buzzer on Britain's Got Talent

A group of farmers took to the stage on Saturday night (March 21) to sing on ITV's popular show Britain's Got Talent and captured the hearts of the audience

clock 22 March 2026 • 1 min read