A “renewable energy expert” at a multinational law firm has stated that the UK government’s inheritance tax on farmers presents an opportunity to free up farming land so it can be used for “renewable energy.”

If you want independently run family farming to survive in the UK, get behind the farmers on 19 November. As one Twitter user said, “UK farmers need us! (and we need them!) … Once farming is gone, its gone, and that’s what they want… and we know why! Everyone who is able, get to London to support UK Farmers!”

Who is the “Renewable Energy Expert”?

Based in London, Gareth Phillips is a partner at the multinational legal firm Pinsent Masons.  According to Wikipedia, it has over 430 partners, a total legal team of around 1,900 people and more than 3,000 employees.

Phillips is described on the firm’s website as specialising in planning and project development and having experience in the consenting, financing, acquisition and divestment/disposal of energy-related infrastructure.

Although there is no direct affiliation between the two entities, Pinsent Masons often collaborates with the World Economic Forum (WEF) on various initiatives and reports. For instance, they have contributed to discussions and analyses on topics such as geopolitical and environmental risks, the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce, and decarbonization in the infrastructure sector.  Articles published on the firm’s website that indicate its collaboration with WEF include:

And, as expected, the firm is committed to “doing their bit” to tackle “climate change.”

“Everybody here is passionate about doing their bit, because when we work together, it can make a huge difference. That’s why in 2022 we became one of the first professional services businesses to have our global net zero target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi),” the firm states on its website.

“We push the boundaries every day with our legal advice and business transformation services – and we’re doing the same with our environmental initiatives and commitments too.”

Pinsent Masons proudly list its commitments to “tackling climate change” dripping with globalese as:

• Committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions across our entire carbon footprint by 2040.
• Committed to reduce absolute scope 1,2 and 3 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions 50% by 2030.
• Committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity across our global estate by 2030.

How are they fulfilling their commitments? According to their website, by taking the following actions:

• Improving energy efficiency using the Smart Buildings Programme and Demand Side Response.
• Members of CDP which is used to monitor and manage the environmental performance of our supply chain.
• Approximately 75% of electricity for our premises is from REGO backed renewable sources.
• Target set for suppliers representing 50% of our spend to have validated science-based targets by 2025.

“We take climate-related risk and opportunity management seriously, regularly reviewing our systems and processes,” Pinsent Masons declares. “For inquiries on our approach, assistance with your sustainability risk and opportunity management or your disclosures, please contact [us],” Pinsent Mason’s “climate change” webpage concludes.

Pinsent Masons is not a firm of lawyers.  It is a multinational group of activists who hope to profit enormously from the climate change scam.

UK Budget: Inheritance Tax Reform May Free Up Land For Renewable Energy Projects

The following was originally published by Pinsent Mason’s Out-Law News on 5 November 2024.

The changes to inheritance tax announced in chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget mean more agricultural land becomes available for renewable energy projects across the UK, an expert has said.

Renewable energy expert Gareth Phillips was commenting after the chancellor announced significant reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR). These changes aim to balance the need for increased government revenue with the protection of small family farms and businesses.

Starting from April 2026, the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax. However, for assets exceeding this threshold, the relief will reduce from 100% to 50%, resulting in an effective tax rate of 20%.

Phillips said: “Historically, farmers have been reluctant to grant leases for renewable development because the land is deemed to transfer out of agricultural holding, and as such will lose out on inheritance tax relief. However, following the changes announced in Wednesday’s budget, landowners will now be much more incentivised to look at leasing land to renewable developers as a way of finding new income streams to top up the loss. It may also trigger more sales of farm land by those who need to fund the payment of inheritance tax, meaning more land becomes available for different uses.”