Farmers’ Protest in London
Today, farmers will make their voices heard in central London. Scheduled for the day of the budget, farmers will today (Wednesday November 26) stage a tractor protest through London’s streets, in response to proposed inheritance tax changes. Farmers are demanding “fairness and a future”, claiming that such reforms could put family-run farms out of business.
This comes on the heels of a similar protest in Ipswich on Monday (November 24) where over 100 tractors formed a procession along the A14 to Felixstowe. “This Budget Day, farmers from across the UK are driving to London to demand fairness and a future for British farming,” write the organisers on the event page. “The current Inheritance Tax (IHT) system threatens family farms and rural livelihoods — it’s time for change.”
What to Expect from the Protest
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the farmers’ protest. British farmers united in London today (Wednesday, November 26), starting at 9.30am. The slow-moving convoy of tractors will head into central London, while protestors on foot will centre on Whitehall.
A Facebook group has been set up, with many smaller groups organising within it to travel to London together coming from as far as York to have their voices (and tractor engines) heard. A schedule for the day shows that speakers are also planned, including MP Alistair Carmichael and Big Brother star and farmer Cameron Kinch.
Reasons Behind the Protest
The dissatisfaction from farmers stems from expected plans in the budget to place a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million from April 2026. The National Farming Union, representing over 44,000 farmers across the country, has warned that this could cause many family farms to sell land in order to afford the tax bills.
“The situation we could find ourselves in now is that this ends up being a tax on tragic deaths, because the first period will be the elderly and then after that it’s going to be those who either haven’t planned or completely unplanned deaths which may well be younger, and then you’re facing the situation where there’s no spousal transfer so it could be passed down to the next generation who could be in their teens. Now is that a logical tax planning scenario?”
With this latest change expected to be made in the autumn budget, the upcoming tractor march aims to put pressure on Rachel Reeves and the government ahead of the announcement. The protest is a call to action for the government to reconsider the proposed tax changes and find alternative solutions that will not harm family-run farms.
Impact on Family-Run Farms
The proposed inheritance tax changes could have a significant impact on family-run farms, potentially leading to the sale of land and the loss of rural livelihoods. The National Farming Union has expressed concerns that the tax changes could lead to a decline in the number of family-run farms, which are an essential part of the UK’s agricultural industry.
Farmers are not only concerned about the financial impact of the tax changes but also about the potential loss of their way of life. Many family-run farms have been passed down through generations, and the thought of having to sell the farm to pay tax bills is devastating for many farmers.
Support for the Protest
The protest has gained significant support from farmers and rural communities across the UK. The Facebook group set up for the event has attracted thousands of members, and many people have expressed their support for the farmers’ cause.
The protest has also gained attention from politicians, with some MPs expressing their support for the farmers’ demands. The National Farming Union has also thrown its weight behind the protest, highlighting the importance of finding a solution to the inheritance tax issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the farmers’ protest in London is a call to action for the government to reconsider the proposed inheritance tax changes. The protest highlights the importance of finding a solution that will not harm family-run farms and rural livelihoods. The government must listen to the concerns of farmers and find alternative solutions that will support the UK’s agricultural industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of the farmers’ protest in London?
A: The purpose of the protest is to demand fairness and a future for British farming, and to express concerns about the proposed inheritance tax changes that could harm family-run farms.
Q: When and where is the protest taking place?
A: The protest is taking place on Wednesday, November 26, in central London, starting at 9.30am.
Q: What are the proposed inheritance tax changes?
A: The proposed changes include a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1 million from April 2026.
Q: How will the tax changes affect family-run farms?
A: The tax changes could lead to the sale of land and the loss of rural livelihoods, potentially causing many family-run farms to go out of business.
Q: What is the National Farming Union’s stance on the issue?
A: The National Farming Union has warned that the proposed tax changes could cause many family farms to sell land in order to afford the tax bills, and has expressed concerns about the potential impact on rural livelihoods.
