Farmers protest as Finance Bill gets second reading

Farmers converged on Westminster on 16 December as MPs debated the Finance Bill, staging a noisy protest to oppose proposed inheritance tax reforms affecting family farms and food production.

Tractors blasted horns for hours as they circled Parliament Square, while farmers gathered on foot holding banners reading, “Urgent message from farmers… We can’t afford to feed you anymore on current farmgate prices” and “The farms of Britain are the frontline of freedom,” a quote from Winston Churchill.

The demonstration coincided with the bill’s second reading, which considers its overarching principles rather than detailed amendments.

See also: Farmers take festive tractors to London protest

© MAG Albie Matthews

The Finance Bill (number two) contains legislation to introduce what farming groups describe as a “family farm tax”, through changes to inheritance tax, agricultural property relief and business property relief).

Protesters say the measures threaten the viability of family-run farms across the UK.

Family affair

The King family © MAG/Albie Matthews

Among those attending was the King family, a mixed farming family from Cornwall, who drove six hours to be present.

Nine-year-old Poppy King was holding a handwritten letter addressed to Sir Keir Starmer, stating:

“I do not agree with what you are doing to the farmers… did you know that farmers feed you three times a day, please don’t take our farms away.”

Henry Graham, a farmer from Newbury, Berkshire, said the proposed changes would have irreversible consequences.

“It’s going to decimate our farm, our home, our place of work, and there’s no way of recovery from it,” he said.

“If my mother is to pass away and the farm is in her name, then I cannot afford the bill. I will have to sell everything.”

William Taylor of Farmers for Action in Northern Ireland said the protest was part of an ongoing campaign:

“We have farmers out there that are struggling to put groceries on the table, and then we land inheritance tax on top of the ground…

“Tell all those folks in there, are you listening? We can’t afford to feed you anymore.”

East Sussex beef farmer Kathleen Renner said farmers were determined to maintain pressure on politicians.

She said: “We’re not going away… this relief was put in place to protect food security… people never realise until the shelves are empty.”

© MAG/Albie Matthews

The debate

Inside the House of Commons, Conservative MP Robbie Moore told MPs the policy would have severe consequences:

“This is going to have a hugely detrimental impact not only on those family businesses, but on the wider agricultural supply chain.”

He added: “The prime minister himself acknowledged that he was aware of farmers who have worked all their lives within the farming community and who are considering taking their own lives.

“Despite that knowledge, he wanted to crack on with this policy regardless. It is callous and heartless.”

Mr Moore urged farmers to continue protesting to ensure the government listens.