UK Farmers Protest Inheritance Tax Changes

Farmers in the UK are mobilizing for large-scale protests in London against new inheritance tax plans announced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget, which impose a 20% tax on agricultural assets exceeding £1 million. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and other agricultural organizations have expressed outrage, claiming the changes could threaten the viability of small and medium-sized farms, leading to the potential breakup of family farms and jeopardizing food security. Critics argue that the government’s assurances that small family farms will not be affected are misleading, as analyses show many could face significant tax liabilities. Welsh farmers have also joined the protests, fearing lasting damage to their farming industry due to these tax changes. The government defends its policy as necessary to prevent wealthy non-farmers from exploiting tax exemptions to acquire agricultural land. In response to the backlash, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed confidence that most farmers will remain exempt, despite widespread discontent among the agricultural community.