Farmers Protest Against Inheritance Tax Reforms in London
Thousands of Farmers Protest at Houses of Parliament
Thousands of farmers protested at the Houses of Parliament in London on Tuesday, some driving tractors through the capital, to demand the scrapping of an inheritance tax that they say will destroy family farms and threaten food production.
Farmers Criticize Labour Government’s Inheritance Tax Reforms
The measure, dubbed the tractor tax by critics and announced in the new government’s budget last month as it sought to raise funds, has drawn an angry backlash from farmers who say the ruling Labour Party does not understand rural communities. The protesters held placards stating “no farmers, no food, no future” and “Starmer the farmer harmer”, in reference to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Police estimated about 10,000 protesters took part.
Farmers Say Reforms Will Destroy Family Farms
Farmer Emma Robinson, 44, said she was “absolutely livid” and would take part in measures to disrupt food supplies if the government did not back down. Robinson said her farm in northwest England had been in her family for 500 years and she was going to pass it on to her children. “It’s being taken out of my hands by someone that’s been in parliament for literally days,” she said.
Farmers’ Low Profit Margins
Farmers say that while their land and machinery has a high value, the farms themselves have low profit margins, meaning their children would have to sell land to cover the tax bill. Under the policy set out by finance minister Rachel Reeves, people inheriting a farm worth more than £1 million (US$1.3 million) would have to pay 20% inheritance tax from 2026. The passing of farms down generations was earlier tax-free.
Government’s Response
The government has said the reforms would only target the most valuable farms while helping fund public services that farming communities rely on. It said the tax change would affect about 500 farms a year, with the tax rate for those paying set at half the usual rate of 40% and payable in instalments over 10 years, but farmers say the numbers affected will be much higher. “There are a lot of figures flying around that I do not recognise. The vast majority of farmers will pay no more,” environment minister Steve Reed said.
Wider Opposition to Labour Government’s Budget
The backlash is only one part of a wider opposition to the Labour government’s first budget since it won an election in July, with businesses warning Reeves’ other tax-raising measures will fuel inflation. Farmers say they are already suffering from unfair competition as cheaper imported produce does not have to meet the same environmental and welfare standards, while their incomes have also been squeezed by supermarkets and hit by climate change.
Conclusion
The inheritance tax reforms have sparked widespread outrage among farmers, who are demanding that the government scrap the policy. The protests demonstrate the deep-seated concerns among farmers about the future of their industry and their ability to pass on their farms to the next generation.
FAQs
Q: What is the inheritance tax reform announced by the Labour government?
A: The reform sets out to tax people inheriting a farm worth more than £1 million (US$1.3 million) at 20% from 2026.
Q: How will the tax be paid?
A: The tax will be payable in instalments over 10 years, with a rate set at half the usual rate of 40%.
Q: How many farms will be affected?
A: The government claims the reforms will affect about 500 farms a year, but farmers say the numbers affected will be much higher.
Q: What are the reasons behind the farmers’ protests?
A: Farmers are protesting against the inheritance tax reforms, citing concerns about the future of their industry and their ability to pass on their farms to the next generation.