A record number of farms and rural businesses were lost in Britain last year in the wake of Labour's inheritance tax raid.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show a net 3,090 businesses across agriculture, forestry and fishing industries closed down last year - the largest amount of closures since records began in 2017.
It follows growing criticism over the government's treatment of rural communities after announcing an inheritance tax raid on farmers and revealing plans to ban trail hunting.
Sir Keir Starmer later watered down plans following backlash.
David Bean of the Countryside Alliance said: “Costs of doing business – supplies, labour, energy – are already piling up, and policies such as employers’ National Insurance and business rate hikes are hitting firms harder still.
“Confidence in the sector is at an all-time low.
“The Government should urgently review its processes to ensure that new policy will work for the countryside and the rural economy, not against it.”
Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, added: “This data shows just how damaging Labour’s attacks on rural communities have been.
“Thousands of rural businesses shutting up for good thanks to the family farm and family business tax.”