Hundreds of Farmers Rally in London to Protest Controversial £1 Million Tax Changes

Hundreds of farmers gathered in Westminster today as part of the ‘Farmers Protest’ against Labour’s controversial inheritance tax changes, which they argue threaten the future of British farming. The rally, dubbed “RIP British Farming,” is the second large-scale demonstration following the Budget announcement last month that would see farms with assets over £1 million lose their exemption from inheritance tax.

The tractors at the farmers protest, decorated with signs like “No Farmers, No Food” and “Save British Farming,” began arriving at Whitehall at 10 am, with speeches scheduled for noon and a slow drive around central London starting at 12:45 pm. The farmers protest includes agricultural workers from as far as Exmoor, Shropshire, and Somerset joined the demonstration, highlighting the widespread discontent with the policy.

A symbolic coffin draped in a Union flag was unveiled near Parliament Square, representing what the protestors see as the death of British farming. Many tractors flew the Union flag and displayed placards with messages targeting Labour’s leadership, including “Starmer Farmer Harmer” and “Reeves and Starmer, Grave Robbers.”

Food Security and Farming Challenges

Coinciding with the protest, the Government has released its latest report on food security, revealing critical challenges for the UK’s agricultural sector. Among the key findings:

• The UK was 75% self-sufficient in food that can be grown domestically in 2023, producing 62% of the overall food consumed.
• Long-term declines in “natural capital,” such as clean water and healthy soils, pose significant risks.
• Extreme weather events are increasingly impacting domestic production, especially for arable crops, fruit, and vegetables.
• The UK remains heavily reliant on imports to meet demand for fruit, vegetables, and seafood.

These findings have amplified concerns about the long-term viability of farming in the UK, with farmers arguing that the inheritance tax changes will exacerbate existing pressures.

Parliamentary Scrutiny and Farmers’ Concerns

Inside Parliament, the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs Committee convened this morning to scrutinise the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief. Industry leaders, including Jeremy Moody from the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and Dr Arun Advani from the think tank CenTax, provided evidence on the policy’s potential impact. According to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), changes to inheritance tax could have a significant impact on British agriculture, particularly for smaller family-run farms.

Dr Advani warned that raising inheritance tax rates to 20% for agricultural assets over £1 million would only marginally slow land price inflation. He expressed concerns that wealthy investors would continue to compete with genuine farmers for land, further driving up prices and limiting opportunities for working farmers.

“The 20% rate remains much more attractive than other asset classes,” Dr Advani said. “This means that farmers looking to expand their operations will still face significant competition from wealthier individuals.”

Labour’s Defence of the Policy

Environment Secretary Steve Reed defended Labour’s position, insisting that the Government’s commitment to farmers is “steadfast.” He pointed to the £5 billion farming budget allocated over two years, describing it as “the largest ever directed at sustainable food production in our country’s history.”

Despite the assurances, protestors remain sceptical, with some warning of more militant action if their concerns are not addressed. Gareth Wyn Jones, a prominent farming campaigner, captured a tractor en route to Parliament this morning, symbolising the determination of farmers to make their voices heard.

A Divided Future for British Farming

As the tractors at the farmers protest continue their slow drive around Westminster, the future of British farming hangs in the balance. The protest has shone a spotlight on the unique challenges faced by the agricultural sector, from tax policies and land competition to the broader issues of food security and sustainability.

The farmers’ message is clear: without meaningful support and fair policies, the sector risks decline. Whether today’s protest will prompt a shift in Labour’s approach remains to be seen, but the determination of the farming community is unlikely to waver.

For more updates on this developing story and other insights into London’s news and events, visit EyeOnLondon.

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