LONDON, Dec 11(Raza Syed):Thousands of farmers gathered at Westminster on Wednesday afternoon, causing significant slowdowns in central London as tractors clogged the streets in a second protest against Labour’s inheritance tax reforms. Farmers from across the country converged on the capital, expressing their anger over the proposed ‘tractor tax’ announced in last month’s budget. This measure would see farms lose inheritance tax relief on assets worth more than £1 million.
Critics have dubbed the measure the “tractor tax,” introduced by the government to raise funds for public services. However, farmers argue that it will devastate family farms and reduce food production. Tractors lined the streets near the Houses of Parliament, blocking all surrounding roads as farmers hoped to persuade the government to reconsider or face escalating protests.
Protesters held signs reading “No farmers, no food, no future,” highlighting their concerns. Farmers have long felt the squeeze from Britain’s competitive supermarket sector, cheap imports, and post-Brexit subsidy cuts. Previously, transferring farms from generation to generation was tax-free, but the government announced in October that farms would be taxed from 2026. This has sparked widespread protests across the country.
The largest protest occurred in mid-November when 13,000 people gathered in Westminster, including Britain’s most high-profile farmer, Jeremy Clarkson, a former Top Gear presenter whose show Clarkson’s Farm is popular on Amazon UK.
Despite the protests, the government has repeatedly stated there will be no U-turn on the inheritance tax policy. Environment Secretary Steve Reid emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through rural support schemes. “We are focused on supporting our farmers, growing the rural economy, and increasing Britain’s food security,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
Under the new inheritance laws, a 20% tax will be levied on the value of a farm over £1 million starting in 2026. The current personal allowances, which a married couple can combine, take the limit for a farm and its associated property up to £3 million.
