The agricultural industry in England and Wales is up in arms over proposed changes to inheritance tax rules that farmers claim will devastate their businesses. On Tuesday morning, protesting members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) drove their tractors into London’s Parliament Square to voice their outrage at what they see as a betrayal by UK government ministers.
‘This Industry Has Been Betrayed’
Leading the charge against the controversial tax reforms is NFU President Tom Bradshaw. In an interview with Sky News, Bradshaw pulled no punches in his criticism of Environment Secretary Steve Reed and the Labour government.
“This industry has been betrayed. They said they wouldn’t make this change, and suddenly they’ve gone ahead and done it. There’s a whole generation that have been betrayed.”
– Tom Bradshaw, NFU President
At the heart of the dispute are the government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million. Previously, farming businesses were exempt from the tax on agricultural and business property. But under the new rules, assets above the £1m threshold will be taxed at an effective rate of 20%.
Treasury Claims Most Farms Unaffected
The Treasury argues that once individual exemptions are factored in, the actual threshold before farms have to pay could be as high as £3 million. Officials estimate that based on 2021-22 data, only 27% of estates claiming agricultural property relief were above the £1m mark.
But the NFU disputes those figures. Bradshaw slammed the policy as “very, very poorly thought through,” claiming even the Treasury and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs can’t agree on the numbers behind it.
Impact on Older Generation of Farmers
The union chief expressed particular concern for older farmers nearing retirement who now face a large unexpected tax bill with no time to plan for it.
“They’ve designed a policy which has got the elderly generation in the twilight of their careers, absolutely in the centre of this policy, with no way to plan for it. They’ve given everything to this country to produce the food the country needs, and they can’t plan their way through it. That is simply unacceptable.”
– Tom Bradshaw, NFU President
While stressing the NFU does not support food blockades, Bradshaw said he understands why farmers are so angry over the inheritance tax shake-up. Thousands are expected to join the London protest to send a clear message to the government.
Clarkson’s Farm Host to Speak at Rally
Adding some celebrity power to the rally will be Jeremy Clarkson, host of the popular TV series Clarkson’s Farm. Writing in The Sun, Clarkson said he would attend the protest “despite having letters from doctors telling me not to go on the march and saying I must avoid stress.”
However, the NFU president suggested Clarkson’s presence may not be helpful to their cause. The former Top Gear star has been portrayed as an example of a wealthy outsider buying farmland to avoid taxes – precisely the type of landowner the inheritance tax changes are meant to target.
Ministers Downplay Disruption Fears
Government ministers have sought to downplay concerns that the farmers’ protests could lead to food shortages. Policing Minister Diana Johnson told Sky News there were always contingency plans in place to maintain food security.
“Issues around food security are obviously national security issues. There are plans in place, there are contingencies always in place to deal with that, but I’m confident that won’t happen.”
– Diana Johnson, Policing Minister
As the protesting farmers descend on the capital, pressure is mounting on the government to rethink its contentious inheritance tax plans. But so far ministers are showing no sign of backing down, setting the stage for a bitter standoff with one of the nation’s most vital industries. The outcome of this clash could have major ramifications not just for farming families, but for Britain’s food supply and the wider agricultural sector for years to come.
