Hundreds of farmers gathered in Westminster today, chanting “no farmers, no food” outside Downing Street as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced fierce questioning within the House of Commons over proposed changes to inheritance tax.
Tractors blocked a part of Whitehall during an illustration organized by Save British Farming and Kent Fairness for Farmers, reflecting growing industry anger over Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ charging proposals.
Inheritance tax will rise to 20 per cent on agricultural estates value greater than £1m under plans announced in last month’s Budget. While the federal government insists most farms will remain untouched, farming groups argue the brink is way too low for a lot of family farms. Around 500 farmers got here to Westminster today to protest after a rally last month that attracted around 13,000 people.
As the protest took place, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey pressed Sir Keir Starmer on whether he would “change course and recognize the vital role that family farms play”. In response, the Prime Minister said the “vast majority” of households would remain unaffected, citing the £3 million threshold for an “ordinary family”.
However, many farmers remain unconvinced. Matt Cullen, beef farmer and organizer of Kent Fairness for Farmers, said: “We need to show this government that we will not be pushed aside and we will not allow our farms to be destroyed. This is a war we will win and force the government to turn back.”
Among the demonstrators was Claire Fifield, 26, whose adoptive family runs a leased farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. Ms Fifield said the £1m threshold was unrealistically low given the prices related to farming: ‘I do not think they’ve spoken to a single farmer, especially a tenant. They checked out Jeremy Clarkson and decided to take his money, but that punishes individuals who have been farming these lands for generations.”
The emotional toll of the dispute was highlighted during a session of the Commonwealth Environment Commission, where Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), was moved to tears as he described the pressures some farmers face. Middle-aged farmers are reportedly concerned that their parents won’t survive the seven years required to avoid tax liabilities, putting in danger businesses which have been developed for many years. Bradshaw warned of significant consequences for people, including the potential of farmers taking their very own lives due to financial despair.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP Jerome Mayhew reminded Sir Keir Starmer of his pre-election remarks to the NFU by which he admitted that the lack of a farm was “no like the loss of any other business”. Mayhew accused the present administration of duplicity. Sir Keir responded by highlighting the £5 billion of support pledged for farming over the subsequent two years, including the £350 million allocated last week, and reiterated that the “vast majority of farmers will be unaffected” by the changes.
As tensions remain high, the federal government is maintaining its reforms, with many farmers fearing the brand new inheritance tax threshold will threaten family farms which have supported communities and produced British food for generations.
Peter Jones
One of the UK’s most sought-after divorce lawyers, he founded Jones Myers in 1992, the primary qualified arbitrator in Leeds and a former national resolution chairman. Piotr has the best level of experience in all facets of monetary disputes and is an authority in matters relating to small family businesses
