British farmers drive tractors to London in massive tax protest
Around 10‚000 farmers gathered near parliament to protest new-planned inheritance tax rules. The controversial policy would affect farm transfers starting 2026‚ with protesters warning about threats to food production
British countryside folks showed their anger on 11/19 as thousands of farmers (many driving huge tractors) made their way to parliament in a big-time protest against new tax rules
The Labour governments October budget includes a hard-to-swallow inheritance tax that will hit farm owners starting in ʼ26. The policy sets a 20% tax on farms worth more than £1M‚ though married couples get some extra room up to £3M (which includes buildings and land)
Emma Robinson a north-west farmer whose family worked same land for five centuries is super-mad about the changes: “Its being taken from my hands by new-comers who dont understand farming‚“ she says. Her concerns match other protesters who brought signs and made noise near Westminster
Please back down
The government claims only about 500 farms per year will pay more; however the Country Land group thinks differently - they say up to 70k farms worth £1M+ could face problems. Environment minister Steve Reed tried to calm things down saying: “There are figures going around that I dont recognize“
Farmers face other big issues too:
* Competition from cheaper imports
* Low profits from supermarket deals
* Weather changes hitting crops
* New environmental rules to follow
The protest comes as part of wider push-back against Labourʼs first budget since winning in July - with business owners saying other tax changes might push prices up even more
