Farmers across the UK have taken to the roads in protest over the Labour government’s changes to inheritance tax on family farms. The protests, which began last month, involve tractors and convoys around major locations, including Parliament and freight terminals.
The issue at hand is the planned application of inheritance tax to agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026. Critics claim that this change will disproportionately affect small farmers who are already struggling financially.
According to Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the lack of consultation and consultation on the issue has left farmers feeling undervalued. The NFU estimates that up to 70,000 farms could be affected by the tax change, with the government claiming it will impact around 2,000 estates annually.
The Country Land & Business Association’s Victoria Vyvyan agrees that more needs to be done, stating there is no sense anyone is listening to farmers’ concerns. Labour MP Andrew Pakes suggests the revenue from the tax change could help fund public services in rural areas.
Farmers are concerned about their livelihoods and future generations of farming. Many feel they will have to sell up due to the unaffordable nature of the inheritance tax bill, with some expecting to lose their farms in the coming years.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5629zjqq3o