In a dramatic protest in London, thousands of British farmers converged on Parliament, many aboard their tractors, to voice their strong opposition against a new inheritance tax targeting their lands. This tax, labeled as the “tractor tax” by its detractors, was introduced in the latest government budget and is feared to have devastating effects on family-owned farms across the country.
The protest saw farmers from across the UK holding signs with messages like “no farmers, no food, no future” and targeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “Starmer the farmer harmer.” Police estimated that around 10,000 participants joined the demonstration.
Emma Robinson, a farmer from northwest England whose family has owned their farm for 500 years, expressed her frustration, stating she was “absolutely livid.” She and other farmers threatened to disrupt food supplies if the government fails to reconsider the tax. Under the new policy set by Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, starting in 2026, farms worth over 1 million pounds will incur a 20% tax on their value exceeding this amount. Although personal allowances raise the tax threshold up to 3 million pounds for married couples, farmers argue that despite the high valuation of their land and equipment, the actual profit margins are minimal, potentially forcing their heirs to sell off parts of their land to pay the tax.
High-profile figures like Jeremy Clarkson, a farm owner and former presenter of Top Gear, also joined the protests, urging the government to reconsider its stance. The government, however, maintains that the tax reform targets only the most valuable properties and will aid in funding essential public services.
Environment Minister Steve Reed commented on the controversy, suggesting that the majority of farmers will not be heavily impacted and questioning the accuracy of the figures presented by protestors. According to the government, the tax would affect approximately 500 farms each year based on past data, though farmers argue the actual number could be much higher due to the exclusion of assets like livestock and tractors in these calculations.
This policy has stirred not only the farming community but also broader criticism of the Labour government’s first budget since its election victory in July, with various sectors expressing concerns over other tax increases potentially exacerbating inflation pressures.
The dispute underscores the tension between government fiscal needs and the agricultural community’s struggle to maintain family farming traditions amid growing financial pressures.
