Farmers Rally in London Against Proposed Inheritance Tax Changes
Protest organized by Save British Farming coincides with parliamentary debate over e-petition for inheritance tax exemption.
Farmers held a significant tractor protest outside the UK Parliament on Wednesday, voicing their concerns over proposed changes to inheritance tax rules that would affect working farms.
The demonstration, organized by the group Save British Farming, coincided with a parliamentary debate regarding an e-petition that has garnered over 148,000 signatures demanding the preservation of current inheritance tax exemptions.
The Labour Party has indicated that it will not alter its plans to introduce a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million, a proposal set to take effect in April 2026. Farmers argue that the proposed tax reforms could exacerbate financial pressures on the agricultural sector, which is already grappling with various challenges.
Prominent figures at the protest, such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, called for peaceful yet persistent demonstrations.
Farage emphasized the growing sentiment among farmers across the country against the proposed inheritance tax reform.
During the parliamentary debate, Labour MP David Smith remarked that many farms in his North Northumberland constituency would exceed the £1 million threshold and would therefore be subject to the inheritance tax.
He suggested increasing the threshold to alleviate pressures on family farms and proposed an 'active farmer test' to determine whether the land is actively used for agricultural purposes.
Another MP, Sam Rushworth, noted the incongruity of valuing farmland without considering the limited cash flow and profit sometimes generated from it.
He stressed that inheriting a large estate does not equate to personal wealth, highlighting the responsibilities that come with managing agricultural land.
The impact of the proposed tax changes was echoed in personal accounts from farmers.
Bizza Walters, who aids her family farm in Warwickshire, described farmers as being 'cash-poor but asset-rich,' emphasizing the disconnect between the value of farmland and the financial realities farmers face.
Throughout the day, the protest caused significant disruptions in central London, particularly in the Whitehall area, which was closed for hours due to the demonstration.
Traffic was severely affected, with congestion extending to various routes around the vicinity.
As the protest concluded, tractors slowly dispersed from the area, and by early evening, normal traffic flow resumed.
The discussion surrounding the inheritance tax reform continues, with advocates for farmers calling for a reassessment of the proposal to better reflect the realities of agricultural work and the financial burdens placed upon farmers in the UK.
The demonstration, organized by the group Save British Farming, coincided with a parliamentary debate regarding an e-petition that has garnered over 148,000 signatures demanding the preservation of current inheritance tax exemptions.
The Labour Party has indicated that it will not alter its plans to introduce a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million, a proposal set to take effect in April 2026. Farmers argue that the proposed tax reforms could exacerbate financial pressures on the agricultural sector, which is already grappling with various challenges.
Prominent figures at the protest, such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, called for peaceful yet persistent demonstrations.
Farage emphasized the growing sentiment among farmers across the country against the proposed inheritance tax reform.
During the parliamentary debate, Labour MP David Smith remarked that many farms in his North Northumberland constituency would exceed the £1 million threshold and would therefore be subject to the inheritance tax.
He suggested increasing the threshold to alleviate pressures on family farms and proposed an 'active farmer test' to determine whether the land is actively used for agricultural purposes.
Another MP, Sam Rushworth, noted the incongruity of valuing farmland without considering the limited cash flow and profit sometimes generated from it.
He stressed that inheriting a large estate does not equate to personal wealth, highlighting the responsibilities that come with managing agricultural land.
The impact of the proposed tax changes was echoed in personal accounts from farmers.
Bizza Walters, who aids her family farm in Warwickshire, described farmers as being 'cash-poor but asset-rich,' emphasizing the disconnect between the value of farmland and the financial realities farmers face.
Throughout the day, the protest caused significant disruptions in central London, particularly in the Whitehall area, which was closed for hours due to the demonstration.
Traffic was severely affected, with congestion extending to various routes around the vicinity.
As the protest concluded, tractors slowly dispersed from the area, and by early evening, normal traffic flow resumed.
The discussion surrounding the inheritance tax reform continues, with advocates for farmers calling for a reassessment of the proposal to better reflect the realities of agricultural work and the financial burdens placed upon farmers in the UK.
