Farmers hold mass protest against ‘punitive death tax’

Farmer head to Westminster in protest

Farmer head to Westminster in protest (Image: Getty)

Farmers across Britain are taking their fight to Parliament on Monday, February 10, in a mass protest against what they claim is the government’s “punitive death tax” – which they argue threatens the future of British farming.

The protesters are calling on MPs to scrap inheritance tax (IHT) hikes that they say could force families to sell off their farms.

The demonstration, dubbed “The Battle for Britain”, has gained support from farmers, business leaders, and politicians who warn the policy could cripple British agriculture, drive up food prices, and destroy rural communities.

At the heart of the protest is the government’s plan to tighten inheritance tax relief on farmland, which they say will lead to generations-old family farms being broken up and sold off to cover tax bills.”

The protest is backed by Farmers to Action, Britain’s second-largest farm group, and the Together Association, a movement representing hundreds of thousands of signatories against what they see as government overreach. , who is leading the protest said in a previous interview. “This tax will hit family run farms whose incomes are incredibly modest. But it isn’t just about income – for them it’s a way of life.”

Reform arty leader Nigel Farage supports farmers

Reform arty leader Nigel Farage supports farmers (Image: Getty)

Some economic experts warn the new tax rules could stoke food price inflation and push smaller farms out of business, making it harder for Britain to feed itself.

Business leaders will be among the protesters. One of these, Hugh Osmond, founder of Punch Taverns said: “Unlike politicians, British farmers have to work 7 days a week, 52 weeks per year, so that we can all eat 7 days per week, 52 eeks per year. they put in this effort for returns that often work out at less than the minimum wage on a per hour basis. And now we want to reward that effort, and their critical role iin society, by imosing a tax on them when they die that will mean their children have to sell their only asset, destroying the very businesses that put food on our tables every day.”

And Luke Johnson, an entrepreneur said: “This government plan to impose death taxes on farmers and other family businesses could destroy our agricultural sector over time as well as our home grown food supply. It is a vindictive and counterproductive policy which will destroy farms, jobs and rural communities.”

Tractor rally to protest against inheritance tax

Tractor rally to protest against inheritance tax (Image: Getty)

Since 1992, Agricultural Property Relief (APR) has allowed farms to be passed down tax-free, keeping the UK’s food production alive. But from April 2026, a £1m cap will be slapped on tax-free inheritance, with anything above taxed at 20 percent – lower than the usual 40 percent.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed claims this will raise £200m a year for public services and estimates only 500 estates a year will pay more tax. But farmers say that’s misleading, as the new rules lump together APR and Business Property Relief (BPR) – previously a separate allowance for machinery and assets. With some equipment costing half a million pounds alone, they say the £1m threshold will be swallowed up fast.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) says 66 percent of UK farms are worth over £1m, meaning far more farmers will face this tax burden than Labour claims. NFU president Tom Bradshaw warns the changes protect wealthy landowners with “a few acres let out for grazing” while hammering real farmers producing Britain’s food.

The tax has angered some of Labour’s rural MPs – many elected with narrow wins – who could face a backlash. Ann Mallalieu, a Labour peer, says many already regret voting for the party. Experts also warn the row could damage vital discussions on net zero, cleaner rivers, and nature recovery, as trust between farmers and the government collapses.

MP, James Cleverly talks to Together campaign

MP, James Cleverly talks to Together campaign (Image: Getty)

Rachel Reeves introduced inheritance tax on farms

Rachel Reeves introduced inheritance tax on farms (Image: Getty)

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