GB News host Ben Leo has revealed what he believes to be the “real reason” behind the Government’s attack on farmland.
He claimed Labour’s plans to remove farmland for net zero targets are linked to major financial institutions and billionaire investors, rather than funding the NHS.
He questioned who would take ownership of affected farmland, pointing to “vultures” like BlackRock and referencing Bill Gates as “the largest private land farm owner in the United States”.
Ben fumed on GB News: “Let me just be clear about this. If you wonder why the government are pursuing this absolutely bonkers inheritance tax raid on farmers for a measly £500million a year, we had ministers saying, well, this money is going to go and fund the NHS and farmers are going to benefit.
Ben claimed that Labour’s plans to remove farmland for net zero targets are linked to major financial institutions
GB News
“That funds the NHS for one day. So what’s the real reason behind the inheritance tax?
“Don’t forget how they were meeting with Blackrock and Bill Gates when they announced this.
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“Who’s going to be taking ownership of this defunct farm? Maybe these big companies could. Could it be Vanguard who wants to take control of the food supply? Could it be Bill Gates who’s the largest private land farm owner in the United States? Interesting. It seems to all make sense now.”
Political commentator Andy Williams said: “Blackrock are really a very important part of our financial services industry, which is a massively important part of our economy.
Ben said: “They are absolute vultures.”
Williams said: “If you want growth in this country and if you want people to be better off and have higher incomes and wages, organisations like Blackrock are really, really important.”
The Environment Secretary will today reveal plans to divert more than 10 per cent of England’s farmland towards net zero goals and wildlife protection by 2050.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimates 9 per cent of farmland must be removed from food production to meet green targets.
A further 5 per cent is expected to be lost due to decreased food output levels.
The framework aims to protect prime agricultural land while restoring natural habitats and driving economic growth.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed MP will today reveal plans to divert more than 10 per cent of England’s farmland towards net zero goals and wildlife protection by 2050
PA
The Government has set ambitious targets to increase woodland in England by 20 per cent by 2050, alongside plans for 1.5 million new homes and expanded solar energy.
Farming groups have warned the plans pose growing threats to food security.
Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association, cautioned against increasing government control over farming.
“Whenever the state gets involved, its tendency is to only become ever more prescriptive,” she said.
