Jeremy Clarkson Warns Diddly Squat Farm Could Tip Into Loss as Costs Keep Rising.
Jeremy Clarkson Voices Deep Concerns Over Farm and Pub Finances as Costs Continue to Rise
Jeremy Clarkson has renewed his criticism of government policy, warning that rising costs and tax pressures could threaten the long-term viability of farms and rural hospitality businesses across the UK—including his own Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds.
In recent months, the Clarkson’s Farm presenter has become increasingly vocal about what he sees as mounting financial strain facing farmers and pub owners. Writing in his latest column for The Sunday Times, the 65-year-old broadcaster admitted he is genuinely worried about whether farms like his can remain financially sustainable under current economic conditions.
Clarkson has been particularly outspoken over proposals linked to inheritance tax on agricultural land, an issue that has triggered widespread concern among farmers nationwide. The plans, initially outlined by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, suggested that farms would become subject to inheritance tax once estates crossed a certain threshold—prompting strong opposition from across the rural sector.
Although the government later adjusted the policy shortly before Christmas, raising the threshold at which estates would be taxed, Clarkson argues that the underlying problem remains unresolved. He believes the measures still risk forcing family farms into impossible decisions when land is passed from one generation to the next.
Describing a common rural scenario, Clarkson wrote that when a farmer’s land is inherited, the tax bill could leave families with only one option: selling off part of their farm. According to Clarkson, this solution undermines the very foundation of agricultural viability.
“One day, of course, his dad will die,” Clarkson wrote, referring to a typical family farm. “And if the farm is medium-sized, he will have to pay inheritance tax. The only way he’ll be able to afford that is to sell a portion of the farm—which would make it completely unviable.”
Clarkson then turned the spotlight on his own operation, revealing that even a large holding offers little financial comfort. “I have a thousand acres at Diddly Squat,” he explained, “and even a farm that big does not make money. If I had to sell a third of it to pay the tax, it would stop breaking even and make a loss.”
Beyond farming, Clarkson has also expressed concern about the future of rural pubs—another sector he believes is under growing pressure. He owns The Farmer’s Dog, a pub that has featured in recent seasons of Clarkson’s Farm, and says rising business rates and employment costs are placing enormous strain on the venture.
Earlier this year, Clarkson compared his situation with that of Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, who revealed that business rates at his Marlow restaurant were set to increase dramatically. While Clarkson acknowledged his own situation was not quite as severe, he described the outlook as “still pretty terrible.”
“At my pub, the rateable value would shoot up from £27,250 to £55,000,” Clarkson wrote. “And when you factor in the national insurance rise, which has added £42,000 a year to our wage bill, we’d be up a gum tree.”
These concerns have fed into a broader protest movement among pub landlords. Late last year, Clarkson joined hundreds of others in banning Labour MPs from their venues in response to rising business rates. At the time, he made the announcement publicly on social media, stating that the decision reflected frustration rather than personal animosity.
Whether that ban remains in place is unclear, but Clarkson’s message has remained consistent. He argues that without meaningful policy changes, both farming and rural hospitality risk becoming unsustainable—not just for high-profile figures, but for ordinary families whose livelihoods depend on them.
For Clarkson, the debate is no longer theoretical. As he sees it, the financial pressures facing farms and pubs are steadily closing in, raising serious questions about how long traditional rural businesses can survive under the current economic climate.
