Farmers across the UK are protesting inheritance tax changes, fearing for their family farms and the future of agriculture.
Cambridge: Farmers are really upset about the government’s inheritance tax changes. They took to the streets with their tractors, making a big statement on what they call a National Day of Unity.
The Treasury thinks these changes could bring in around £520 million a year. But farmers and their supporters are worried. They believe this could wipe out many family farms that have been around for generations.
People showed up with food, tractors, and even livestock to make their voices heard. Protests happened all over the UK, from Cambridge to Warwick and Selby.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) organized these events. They wanted to remind everyone that the issues are still very real and need attention.
Just the day before, NFU leaders handed in a petition with over 270,000 signatures to the government, urging them to reconsider this “devastating family farm tax.”
One NFU president even mentioned that food shortages could be a real possibility if farmers decide to strike. That’s a serious concern!
Farmers want to keep the conversation going. They’re looking for a chance to meet with the Chancellor and discuss these decisions further.
Since 1984, farmers have enjoyed some tax reliefs that exempt them from inheritance tax. But starting in 2026, those reliefs will be limited, which has everyone worried.
Rachel Hallos, a livestock farmer, expressed her fears about how these changes could harm farming in the UK. She feels like the government isn’t prioritizing food and the environment.
In Northern Ireland, farmers also protested, with tractors lining the streets to show their support for family farms. They displayed signs like “Save Our Family Farms” to get their message across.
On the government side, they’re promising to invest £5 billion in farming over the next two years. They say this is the largest budget for sustainable food production in the country’s history.
They also claim that the new tax reforms will actually help farmers by lowering the effective inheritance tax rate. But many farmers are still skeptical about these promises.
