Labour's Land Reform and Benefit Cuts Face Backlash from Farmers and Disability Advocates

Proposed policies on land valuation and disability benefits draw criticism over potential financial hardships for rural communities and disabled households.

Labour's Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposes allowing councils to purchase land at current market value, potentially reducing payouts to farmers and landowners for development purposes.
Farmers express concerns over the policy, citing it as a further strain following recent inheritance tax changes that affect agricultural properties worth over £1 million.
Charities warn that proposed cuts to disability benefits, expected in the upcoming Spring Statement, could push 700,000 disabled households into poverty, urging the government to reconsider.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner defends the land reforms as necessary for achieving Labour's housing and infrastructure goals, including building 1.5 million homes by the next election.
Critics argue that both policies risk alienating rural and vulnerable communities, with calls for more equitable approaches to land use and welfare reform.