A wave of farmers and growers is set to descend on Westminster tomorrow (19 November) in a show of defiance against the government’s proposed inheritance tax changes.
The reforms, revealed in the recent Budget, have caused widespread concern among agricultural communities.
Proposed Tax Changes
From April 2026, changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) will come into effect. Under the new rules, agricultural and business assets worth up to £1 million will remain exempt from inheritance tax. However, assets exceeding this threshold will be taxed at 20%, half the standard rate of 40%.
Concerns Among Growers
The proposed measures have sparked alarm, with many growers warning that the changes could threaten the survival of family-run farms.
Critics argue that while the policy aims to target wealthy landowners, it may inadvertently harm smaller agricultural producers, potentially increasing financial pressures and contributing to higher food prices.
Government Response
The government has sought to reassure farmers, stating that the vast majority will not be affected by the reforms. Treasury projections estimate that fewer than 500 farms annually will be subject to the new tax.
Ministers have also highlighted potential reliefs, such as exemptions for land transferred more than seven years before an owner’s death, which could alleviate the financial impact for many families.
Planned Demonstration
Around 1,800 farmers and growers are expected to gather in London to voice their concerns and meet with MPs in a mass lobbying event. Organisers hope the protest will pressure the government to reconsider the changes, which many believe could have unintended consequences for the agricultural sector.
As farmers prepare to make their voices heard, the debate over the future of inheritance tax reform continues to intensify, with the agricultural community determined to safeguard the sustainability of family farms.
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