Rachel Reeves continues to come under fire from farmers (Image: PA/Philip Weston)
Thousands of farmers will on Tuesday march to show MPs and the public that the sector does not accept Rachel Reeves’s “cruel” family farm tax.
The Pancake Day Rally, from midday in Westminster, aims to be “bigger and better” than previous protests against the Government’s changes to inheritance tax rules.
Organiser and fourth generation farmer Olly Harrison, 43, said food growers will march through London with harvesters, tractors and sprayers to explain the levels of investment needed in agriculture “just to produce something simple like a pancake”.
He said: “We’re going to explain, as it’s never been more important, especially with what’s been going on in the world now with the threat of war, how important food is and the risk that we’re taking with the amount of money invested, and why this inheritance tax is not sustainable to keep people farming.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“We need an exemption for more people that are not going to live seven years; that is what the day is all about. We still need to remind the government that food has to be grown in the UK to the highest level possible to give us some sort of security.”
The Chancellor in October announced that from April 2026, combined agricultural and business property assets up to £1 million will still receive 100% relief but anything above that will be taxed at an effective rate of 20%.
Under the plans announced in October, if a farmer dies less than seven years after handing the family farm down to their relatives, they would still have to pay the tax.
The Daily Express’s Save Britain’s Family Farms Crusade has demanded a U-turn over the changes set to come into force next April.
The National Farmers Union, which is backing the protest, added: “The Pancake Day Rally aims to be bigger and better and show MPs and the public farming’s determination not to accept the cruel family farm tax.”
Police said conditions have been imposed for the protest meaning only “a limited number” of tractors are allowed to be there.
Scotland Yard warned that it is a criminal offence to breach the conditions or to incite others to do so, and that anyone doing so may face arrest.
A Government spokeswoman said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast.
“This Government will invest £5 billion into farming over the next two years, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history. We are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production.
“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs will mean farmers will pay a reduced inheritance tax rate of 20%, rather than the standard 40% for other businesses, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach, which fixes the public services we all rely on, affecting around 500 estates a year.”