Farmers join 'go-slow' inheritance tax protest

Farmers across the South have joined a national day of protests

Farmers across the south have joined a national day of protest against the government's plans to reform inheritance tax, which they have said could devastate family farms.

Convoys of tractors were driven through Southampton, in what farmers have described as a "show of strength" ahead of Wednesday's budget.

The government intends to tax inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m at a rate of 20% from April 2027.

A government spokesperson said it was "backing British farms" with annual investment and reliefs.

Christopher Marchment said he would love to pass his farm on to his boys

Christopher Marchment said he was a fifth generation farmer at Foxcote Farm in Andover with just over 205 acres.

"I am what is typically the average size farm for the UK," he said. "I'm out protesting because within two generations my farm will be gone.

"We've got no way of paying it, because the margins we make on the land is so small and it's a death tax."

He said at the budget on Wednesday he hoped there was "a reversal, as I've got two boys and I'd like to see them take the farm on".

Stephen Carpenter said he had no other option but to fight the changes

Stephen Carpenter has a small beef farm in Bishops Waltham and said he joined the protest to "show Labour what they're doing isn't right for our industry".

He said: "We can't strike, we have to protest, otherwise we will loss a lot of British farms, small farms will easily go out of business.

"There will be no coming back from it, that will be the end for a lot of family farms.

"We don't feel listened to by the government at all.

"Other drivers have put their windows down and thumbs up, it's been really uplifting."

A government spokesperson said: "We are backing farmers with the largest nature‑friendly budget in history with over £2.7bn a year to grow their businesses, put more British food on our plates, and restore nature.

"Our reforms to agricultural and business property relief will safeguard public services while keeping inheritance tax fair – with three quarters of estates paying nothing, and the rest paying half the usual rate, spread over 10 years interest‑free."