Tractors flood Newcastle in farmer protest against IHT

Farmers from across the North East poured into Newcastle on Sunday 23 November for a large-scale tractor rally to protest the UK government’s planned inheritance-tax reforms.

More than 100 tractors and several hundred farmers, farming families and supporters converged on Newcastle in what grassroots campaign group Farmers Unite described as a powerful “show of strength” ahead of Wednesday’s Budget.

Tractors rolled in from Northumberland, Cumbria, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and North Yorkshire.

See also: Farmers to hold London tractor rally on Budget day

The protest targeted planned changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief, due to take effect from April 2026.

@NLandTories & @_RobbieMoore are out today supporting farmers and our rural community!@NoFarmsNoFoods @FarmersWeekly https://t.co/71dgzImJxE pic.twitter.com/piUDYpokU3

— #Northumberland Conservatives (@NLandTories) November 23, 2025

Under the reforms, inherited farm assets worth more than £1m will be hit with a 20% inheritance tax – a move farming organisations including the NFU have labelled a “devastating family farm tax”.

Farmers argue that many operate on very thin margins, and the tax could force them to sell off land simply to pay their bill.

This, they warn, threatens long-term food security and the survival of multi-generational, family-run farms.

In response, UK government spokesman said: “Farmers are stewards for our nation’s land and for our food security. Farming also plays a central role in our mission to kick-start economic growth.

“That is why we are backing them through new technology, streamlined regulation and our nature-friendly farming schemes that are helping farmers produce food for the nation.

“Our reforms to agricultural and business property relief are vital to fix the public services we all rely on.”

Farmers from Farmers Unite protest group © Farmers Unite

Wider ‘unity’ campaign

Organisers of the Newcastle rally say the event is part of a broader “unity” campaign and will be followed by a national Day of Unity on Monday 24 November.

A larger national tractor rally and protest will also be held in London on Wednesday 26 November at Whitehall, when chancellor Rachel Reeves is due to deliver her Autumn Budget.

Farmers stress they are land rich but cash poor, and warn the proposed tax changes could force them to give up the farms their families have worked for generations.