Farmers Protest Inheritance Tax Changes in Oxford

Farmers staged a significant protest outside the Oxford Farming Conference, disrupting Environment Secretary Steve Reed's speech due to anger over new inheritance tax changes that will affect inherited agricultural assets valued over £1 million starting April 2026. Approximately 40 tractors participated in the demonstration, highlighting farmers' concerns about their financial viability and the government's perceived neglect of rural communities. Reed acknowledged the farmers' frustrations, expressing regret over the tax decision, but emphasized the need for fiscal stability following a financial crisis left by the previous government. Protests against the inheritance tax have been ongoing, with calls for the government to reconsider its approach as farmers feel their livelihoods are at risk. Many agricultural workers voiced their fears about the future, asserting that the changes to the tax system represent a significant threat to family farms. Mo Metcalf-Fisher from the Countryside Alliance labeled the tax a