Thousands of farmers took to Westminster to rally against changes in inheritance tax.
Across Whitehall, about 20,000 individuals gathered alongside a lobby of MPs in an attempt to u-turn the changes to the inheritance tax announced in the budget.
Under the current policy, farmers receive 100% relief on inheritance tax; however, after April 6, 2026, any farmer with a qualifying asset of over £1 million will be charged inheritance tax at a rate of 20%.
In response to learning about the inheritance tax changes, National Farmer’s Union East Sussex Chair Martin Hole, 61, said: “I was incredulous, and then I felt very, very, vulnerable.”
He explained that policy change will make the business of farming more expensive by raising labor and material costs.
He added: “This is the most venomous and awful intrusion into the continuity of this difficult family business.”
Hole also reported that the budget has also changed inheritance tax exemption on land, which means that when the next generation pursues a career in farming, they will be given a tax bill so expensive that the farm will be left unviable.
He said: “Farmers do feel that this was a straw on the camel’s back after a decade of very difficult farming conditions and that this was kicking a man very hard when he was down.”
While affirming that protesters were respectful and well-behaved, he said: “The demonstration was extremely emotional, as farmers came from all over the UK, including places like Derbyshire and even Scotland, and everyone was quite amazed by the sheer number who came up.”
He added: “I think the industry itself, felt a tsunami of anxiety sweeping into family business when the government announced changes to the inheritance tax.”
Concerned about the impact of inheritance tax on his 25-year-old daughter, Hole said: “If my daughter chooses to be a farmer, the struggle it is going to be.
“But it shouldn’t be made an impossible struggle, which is what this budget has done. We won’t let up until we see a reasonable shift in this shocking policy.”
Nellie Budd, a 44-year-old fourth-generation beef farmer from Brockham, Surrey, expressed pride in rallying alongside other farmers.
She said: “Standing together, I felt proud to be a farmer of this country and was proud to stand up for what I believe in.
“It was sad that we had to be there but working together, standing shoulder to shoulder, we supported each other.”
Budd mentioned the government will ultimately be taxing farmers about a 20-30% share of their ‘already hard-earned value’.
She said: “Farmers farm because they love farming.
“They learn farming from a very young age, it is something you learn over time, it does not happen overnight.”
She continued: “Every year I learn something new, due to the weather, due to the animals, due to vegetation growth. We do more than just sit on a tractor.
“Every footpath that you walk across, every site that you see is crafted by us.”
Budd reported that farmers are being paid a limited amount because the cost of food is too cheap.
She explained that for farmers to afford the inheritance tax, consumers will have to pay more for food, and clear efforts must be made to improve food security.
Eveey Hunter, a farmer from Hertfordshire, recounted the rally and said: “There were probably two different sides, a lot of frustration and anger, but also a real buzz.”
She added: “As soon as you stepped out of the station in Westminster and saw the tractors driving around Parliament Square, it was quite moving actually.
“It was generally, emotional, the talk from the NFU president, he was almost tearing up, welling giving the speech because that is how passionate he felt giving the speech on everyone’s behalf.”
Upon hearing about the changes she felt a wave of frustration, and she questioned why she continued to struggle in the fight for farmer rights.
The president of the NFU, Tom Bradshaw, spoke passionately on behalf of farmers.
According to a statement by NFU, detailing his opening speech he said: “I never seen the industry this angry, disillusioned, and upset.”
He added: “The changes are: nothing short of a stab in the back.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed responded to the protests.
They said: “Farmers are the backbone of Britain, and we recognise the strength of feeling expressed by farming and rural communities in recent weeks.”
Reed and Reeves added: “It’s why we are investing £5 billion into farming over the next two years – the largest amount ever directed towards sustainable food production, rural economic growth, and nature’s recovery in our country’s history.”
They reported that because public services are in poor conditions, and because the government has inherited a £22 billion fiscal hole, they have had to make a challenging decision.
They reported that the changes made to the Agricultural Property Relief will ensure that wealthy estates and farms pay what is needed to support the schools and health services that farmers and rural communities depend on.
Photo courtesy of Eveey Hunter, with thanks
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