Hundreds of farmers gathered in Westminster today, chanting “no farmers, no food” outside Downing Street, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced tough questioning in the Commons over proposed changes to inheritance tax.
Tractors blocked parts of Whitehall during a demonstration organised by Save British Farming and Kent Fairness for Farmers, reflecting the industry’s growing anger over Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s levy proposals.
Under the plans, announced in last month’s Budget, inheritance tax will rise to 20 per cent on agricultural assets worth more than £1 million. Although the government insists the majority of farms will remain unaffected, farmers’ groups have argued that the threshold is far too low for many family-run holdings. Approximately 500 farmers travelled to Westminster today to protest, following a rally of around 13,000 people in the capital last month.
As the protest took place, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey pressed Sir Keir Starmer on whether he would “change course and recognise the vital role that family farms play.” In response, the Prime Minister stated that the “vast majority” of farms would be unaffected, citing the £3 million threshold for an “ordinary family” case.
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