In a tragic case, a farmer took his own life due to mounting fears that proposed changes to inheritance tax would jeopardize his life’s work, an inquest has revealed.

John Charlesworth, aged 78, passed away just one day prior to the chancellor’s initial budget, becoming increasingly anxious about the implications of inheritance tax on his farming estate.

The grandfather and dedicated church bellringer was discovered by his son in a barn at their 70-acre farm in Silkstone, located near Barnsley in South Yorkshire, on October 29 of last year.

The following day, Rachel Reeves announced in the House of Commons that agricultural assets valued over £1 million would incur a 20 percent death duty starting in 2026.

This revelation ignited widespread protests among farmers, including a major blockade at Parliament Square featuring tractors.

During the inquest at Sheffield coroner’s court, it was disclosed that Charlesworth, who had retired and delegated daily farm operations to his son, was troubled by the risk of losing over half of their family farm, which had been in their possession since the 1950s.

Adding to his distress was the challenge of caring for his wife, who had severe dementia and had recently been diagnosed with cancer after more than 50 years of marriage.

Jonathan Charlesworth, his son, testified during the inquest that his father was determined not to allow the government to “defeat him.”

He stated, “In the months leading up to his death, inheritance tax was his primary concern. I believe he felt that taking this drastic step was his final act of defiance against the government.

“While my father was stressed due to caring for my mother, I truly believe that his worries about inheritance tax played a major role in his decision to take his life. He thought he was acting for the greater good, though I do not share that belief.”

Jonathan described his father as “a classic Yorkshireman and farmer — careful with finances but generous with his time.”

He revealed that the family had been informed of emerging media reports regarding the potential inheritance tax reforms but were unaware of the details.

“We had a sense of something changing, but we didn’t fully grasp the extent of it,” he explained. “I think that morning, he decided he couldn’t risk losing everything he had built.”

Jonathan mentioned that his father left a note with guidance for the family on how to potentially mitigate inheritance tax burdens on the farm.

Tanyka Rawden, the senior coroner for South Yorkshire, indicated that John Charlesworth was experiencing significant stress while caring for his wife, who passed away in February of this year.

Rawden stated, “He was apprehensive about the repercussions of the new inheritance tax regulations, which would have resulted in the family losing 50 percent of the farm, tragically taking his own life just before the announcement of these changes.”

A verdict of suicide was recorded.

Outside the court, Verity Charlesworth, his daughter, urged policymakers to reconsider. “It’s not too late to make changes to prevent another family from suffering this loss,” she stated.

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