Central London Blocked by Tractors in Major Farmers' Protest
Hundreds of British farmers gathered in central London, driving their tractors to demonstrate against proposed changes to inheritance tax. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Hundreds gathered in London to protest against changes to inheritance tax
On Monday, tractors flooded the streets surrounding the Houses of Parliament in London as British farmers rallied against the government's planned alterations to the country's inheritance tax policies. Analysts warn that these changes could push many farms into bankruptcy.
The ruling Labour Party announced the policy in last year's budget, which is set to take effect in April 2026. It removes a long-standing exemption allowing family farms to be passed down without incurring inheritance tax. Under the new policy, agricultural assets valued over £1 million will incur a 20% tax when transferred to heirs after the owner's death.
The tractor rally, organized by Save British Farming, coincided with a debate among British lawmakers regarding an e-petition boasting nearly 151,000 signatures. The petition calls for the preservation of the current inheritance tax exemptions for working farm estates.
Political commentator Katie Hopkins emphasized that the protest aims to safeguard the country’s food security. She pointed out that the farmers were not seeking subsidies or additional state support.
“They’re just asking to keep the farms they inherited from their parents so they could give them to their kids. They’re just asking to get up at five o’clock in the morning so they can feed the nation,” Hopkins stated.
Like previous demonstrations, farmers paraded into Westminster on their tractors, honking horns and displaying signs with messages such as “We all need a farmer,” “Food security first,” and “Let’s stand together,” among others.
Dan Willis, a rally participant, noted that land owned by farmers is not a tradeable asset; instead, it serves essential purposes like crop production and livestock grazing.
“We may sit amongst this massive asset, but without that asset, that’s how we earn our living,” he explained. “Once you start taxing my tools, I can’t do my job, and I can’t pay any taxes.”
“Understand the basic mathematics of how they’ve got it so far wrong; it is unsurvivable from how we can move forward as it stands today,” Willis added.
Tom Bradshaw, head of the National Farmers Union, expressed that farmers are not against paying taxes but prefer contributing taxes on their produce “rather than a death tax, which is simply unaffordable and unacceptable.”
In response to protests in November, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the implementation of the controversial tax, stating that the vast majority of farmers would be exempt from it. He maintained that the government is making “tough decisions that were necessary to stabilize our economy.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Monday, tractors flooded the streets surrounding the Houses of Parliament in London as British farmers rallied against the government's planned alterations to the country's inheritance tax policies. Analysts warn that these changes could push many farms into bankruptcy.
The ruling Labour Party announced the policy in last year's budget, which is set to take effect in April 2026. It removes a long-standing exemption allowing family farms to be passed down without incurring inheritance tax. Under the new policy, agricultural assets valued over £1 million will incur a 20% tax when transferred to heirs after the owner's death.
The tractor rally, organized by Save British Farming, coincided with a debate among British lawmakers regarding an e-petition boasting nearly 151,000 signatures. The petition calls for the preservation of the current inheritance tax exemptions for working farm estates.
Political commentator Katie Hopkins emphasized that the protest aims to safeguard the country’s food security. She pointed out that the farmers were not seeking subsidies or additional state support.
“They’re just asking to keep the farms they inherited from their parents so they could give them to their kids. They’re just asking to get up at five o’clock in the morning so they can feed the nation,” Hopkins stated.
Like previous demonstrations, farmers paraded into Westminster on their tractors, honking horns and displaying signs with messages such as “We all need a farmer,” “Food security first,” and “Let’s stand together,” among others.
Dan Willis, a rally participant, noted that land owned by farmers is not a tradeable asset; instead, it serves essential purposes like crop production and livestock grazing.
“We may sit amongst this massive asset, but without that asset, that’s how we earn our living,” he explained. “Once you start taxing my tools, I can’t do my job, and I can’t pay any taxes.”
“Understand the basic mathematics of how they’ve got it so far wrong; it is unsurvivable from how we can move forward as it stands today,” Willis added.
Tom Bradshaw, head of the National Farmers Union, expressed that farmers are not against paying taxes but prefer contributing taxes on their produce “rather than a death tax, which is simply unaffordable and unacceptable.”
In response to protests in November, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the implementation of the controversial tax, stating that the vast majority of farmers would be exempt from it. He maintained that the government is making “tough decisions that were necessary to stabilize our economy.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
