Hundreds of tractors brought traffic to a near halt with a slow drive through central London on Wednesday for the second Westminster rally against Labour’s so-called “tractor tax”.
Farmers travelled into the capital from across the country, including from Exmoor, Shropshire, Somerset and the home counties, for the latest protest.
The vehicles lined up on Whitehall from 10am ahead of speeches at noon and began a slow drive around central London from about 12.45pm.
The “RIP British Farming” protest is the second major demonstration to be held in London against Labour’s inheritance tax shake-up announced in last month’s Budget, which will see farms with assets with over £1 million lose their exemption to inheritance tax.
Follow the latest updates below...
Live coverage ends
Wednesday 11 December 2024 22:05 , Josh SalisburyOur live coverage has now ended.
For a full-write up of today’s events, visit here.
Other 'go slow' protests across the country
Wednesday 11 December 2024 16:48 , Josh SalisburySeparately to the London protest, farmers earlier today blocked dual carriageways with their tractors.
About 50 tractors from Essex and Suffolk staged a go-slow drive on the A14 near Felixstowe, while 20 tractors drove slowly on the A5 outside the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal in Northamptonshire.
Government making farming tax decisions 'with full stomach', farm chief warns
Wednesday 11 December 2024 15:37 , Josh SalisburyRobert Martin, national chairman at the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), has expressed concerns that the Government is making decisions with "a full stomach".
Speaking about the tax change could effect food security, he told MPs: "If you look back over the years, every Government has had a cheap food policy and put - if you can call them that - a subsidy in place to mitigate that."
He argued that most people he works with would rather take payments from the consumer rather than Government.
"As we mention food security, it was only my father's generation that they remember rationing and I'm very concerned that ministers are making decisions on a full stomach at the moment,” he said.
The seemingly never ending fleet of tractors are decorated with an array of protest paraphernalia, reports Josh Butler.
From signs that read "Starmer Farmer Harmer" suspended by the arms of a digger, to elaborate Christmas themed decorations that seem to express more support for the upcoming holiday than government policy.
A constant cacophony of horn blasts announces the procession, many in the distinct rhythm of well-known tunes such as 'Baby Shark'.
Many in the crowd, showing solidarity in their wellies and schoffles, waved and clapped earlier in the day.
It took roughly two hours for some vehicles to set off from Whitehall as the roads became gridlocked.
Whitehall 'now clear of tractors'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 15:17 , Josh SalisburyWhitehall is now clear off tractors, a Met spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said: “Whitehall is now clear of tractors and we will aim to reopen shortly.
“Some tractors continue to disperse whilst a number remain on the procession route as planned.”
Tractors gridlock Westminster in protest
Wednesday 11 December 2024 14:53 , Josh SalisburyTractors have gridlocked the streets of Westminster and have now begun to drive over Westminster Bridge.
The vehicles, some coated in flashing Christmas lights and union flags, have also turned out of Westminster along Embankment past Scotland Yard.
The constant sound of horns ring in the back ground while bewildered tourists and civil servants are forced to cover their ears.
Tractors completely surround Parliament Square and more are still stationary on Whitehall waiting to start their engines.
Farmer accuses Government of treating them like 'second class citizens'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 14:37 , Josh SalisburyA young farmer has accused the Government of treating farmers like "second-class citizens".
Chris Cowles, 28, is the second of two sons, with his older brother running the 200-acre family farm near Market Harborough in Leicestershire.
He said: "My brother farms and I have to make enough money to offset the inheritance tax.
"If your farm isn't that profitable, which obviously is quite common these days, a lot of people will have to sell off potentially about 20% of their farm.
"You have to be saving for 30 or 40 years to offset the inheritance tax, which is sort of an insane thought, especially if you have a bunch of older farmers who would not have that opportunity and are not making that money.
"It's almost expecting farmers to be second-class citizens - it's certainly treating them like second-class citizens," he added.
Government again insists only a small number of farmers will be affected by inheritance tax changes
Wednesday 11 December 2024 14:28Downing Street has reiterated the Government’s view that only a small number of farmers will be affected by changes to inheritance tax.
Asked whether the Prime Minister had a message for farmers who are protesting in Westminster on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “This Government recognises that food security is national security; that’s why we remain steadfast in our support for farmers.”
Asked whether there would be any rethink on inheritance tax, the spokesman added: “No.
“We have been clear that we understand the strength of feeling about the changes, but we are clear this will only affect a small number of estates.
“Three-quarters of estates will be unaffected by these changes, but the Government’s commitment to farmers is steadfast.”
Ministers asked 'is the candle worth the flame?' as farmers protest
Wednesday 11 December 2024 14:25Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), asked whether the “candle is worth the flame” when it comes to the farm inheritance tax changes.
Speaking to the Environment Committee, she said farmers are paying their taxes while producing food for the nation.
“It’s not like we’re not contributing. I think that’s crept into the dialogue,” she said.
“Whether or not what we could contribute, which is not very much money – I think it’s been associated, hasn’t it, with a day and a quarter of the NHS is the annual take out from this particular tax?
“Is the candle worth the flame? Is it worth ruining an entire industry for one and a quarter days of the NHS?”
'This could be the downfall of the family farm'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 14:16 , Matt WattsThe first tractors have now completed their route down to Victoria station and headed back towards Whitehall.
Parliament Square was surrounded by noisy tractors brandishing union flags an hour into the tractor drive.
Outside of the vehicles most protesters appeared to have dispersed outside the House of Commons.
Farmers Alan and Dean Barrett stood in the cold steadfastly clutching brightly coloured signs as the precession paraded past.
Representing different generations of a family farm in Sussex, Alan in his sixties and Dean, 38, were worried the new taxes would force them to sell off land.
Alan said: "This could be the downfall of the family farm."
He explained that farmers lack the cash the new taxes demand, that for many rasing the sums could be "impossible".
The pair hoped the protests would result in a government u-turn.
Alan said: "I know the government wants to stand strong but they're going to have to back down on this one."
Dean said "There will be a lot of changes if this goes on, its definitely going to make things harder."
'It’s just families wanting to hand their farms onto the next generation'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 14:10 , Matt WattsEdgeworth Johnstone, 47, from Muswell Hill, travelled to Westminster to protest in solidarity with farmers.
He told the Standard: “They are working the land. They don’t have the cash. Without them we would have to rely on foreign countries to give us food.
“The tax is relevant to everyone not just farmers. If there was just one farmer being treated like this I’d still be here for them.
“It’s just families wanting to hand their farms onto the next generation.These aren’t tax dodgers they’re not super rich no matter what their land is worth.”
Farmer says tax changes 'filter all the way down'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 13:52 , Daniel KeaneOur reporter Jacob Phillips has been speaking to farmers at the protest.
Steve, who did not give his surname, told the Standard: “It filters all the way down. They aren’t giving out apprenticeships any more. Everything in the countryside is connected to the bigger farms.
“If the bigger farms go then that affects all of us. Some of these guys it’s all they know and it’s all they’ll ever know. Potentially they might lose their farms now.”
The contractor who works on a number of farms added that he got up at 6.30am to head to the protests from Dover.
Pictured: Protesters gather outside the House of Commons
Wednesday 11 December 2024 13:38 , Daniel Keane.jpeg)
Farming union chief calls for taxes to focus on personal wealth
Wednesday 11 December 2024 13:28 , Daniel KeaneTom Bradshaw, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president, called for tax changes to focus on personal wealth and not business wealth, which would lead to a “very different proposal than the one that’s on the table”.
“What’s clear today with the proposal that’s in the Budget is that there is a desire from this Government to change where we are today, so our position is let’s work with you to get to an outcome that works for all rather than the blunt instrument that we have today,” he said.
Robert Martin, national chairman at the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), said: “If the loophole was supposedly to stop the money coming in outside of agriculture and buying land up, they’ve still left rollover relief in place so they really haven’t stopped that at all and that’s my concern.”
And they're off! Tractors begin slow crawl through Westminster
Wednesday 11 December 2024 13:05 , Daniel KeaneWhitehall descended into noise as a rally of farmers tooted their horns in their tractors as they prepared to head past the Houses of Parliament, writes Jacob Phillips.
A slow crawl started shortly before 1pm with the vehicles, many draped with union flags, only moving a few meters at a time.
Meanwhile farmers inside the vehicles, armed with go pros and taking pictures on their iPhones, constantly made noise as they began to get moving.
Farming union chief breaks down in tears at Environment committee
Wednesday 11 December 2024 13:00 , Daniel KeaneTom Bradshaw, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president, started crying as he spoke at the Commons Environment Committee about the impacts the tax changes will have on farmers.
He told MPs that middle-aged farmers concerned their parents do not have seven years left to ensure they can pass down the farm without paying tax are in an “awful, awful unacceptable position”.
The correct advice had been to keep the farm until death, he said.
“Now they don’t have any way to plan through that and yet they’ve given everything to producing the food for this country in that period post-Second World War.
“They really deserve more self-respect than they have been given by the changes that have been proposed.”
Engines on and raring to go... Tractors to begin slow drive through London
Wednesday 11 December 2024 12:55 , Daniel KeaneOur reporter Jacob Phillips is at the scene where hundreds of tractors are to begin a slow drive through London in protest against inheritance tax changes.
Pictures show the vehicles lined up and ready to go - but they are currently being held.
Pictured: Tractors parked on Whitehall
Wednesday 11 December 2024 12:33 , Daniel Keane
Tax changes are a 'kick in the teeth', says farmer
Wednesday 11 December 2024 12:23 , Daniel KeaneWill Elliott, aged 50, drove his tractor for three hours from his farm near Grafham, south of Guildford, in Surrey, to attend the protest.
His farm, Whipley Manor Farm, predominantly grows cereal crops and grass that they make into hay.
He said: “The industry is already down on its knees and this is just another kick in the teeth. My family have been farming in Surrey for nine generations within about 5 miles. I’m the fourth generation to run our current farm.
“Obviously, the idea is that we want to pass it down to the next generation, but farmers are asset-rich, cash poor, we’re not going to have the money to pay the inheritance tax. In Surrey, for instance, it doesn’t take much to reach the million pounds.”
Watch: Tractors descend on Westminster
Wednesday 11 December 2024 12:09 , Daniel KeanePictured: Santa makes an appearance at farmers' protest
Wednesday 11 December 2024 11:53 , Daniel Keane
Tax change will be 'unaffordable' for many farmers, says lawyer
Wednesday 11 December 2024 11:36 , Daniel KeaneThe tax change is going to be “unaffordable” for many farmers, which means they are going to have to either “sell land or sell up”, a leading estates lawyer has warned.
Speaking to the Environment Committee, Stuart Maggs, head of tax and partner at Howes Percival law firm, said for years best advice to farmers has been to retain the farm until death, which means a lot of 70 to 90-year-olds are still working on the farms.
“Even if you’ve got the next generation involved, to bring the average down, the person who owns the farm has naturally been at the elder end of the spectrum,” he told MPs.
“So this change coming in now has really hit home to farmers, because they’re in a situation where there’s nothing they can do about it. They can’t give away and survive seven years.”
Pictured: Farmers unveil coffin draped in Union Jack to symbolise 'death of farming'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 11:19 , Daniel KeaneFarmers have unveiled a coffin draped in the Union flag to symbolise the death of British farming in Westminster.
UK is 75% self-sufficient in food grown in this country, finds new report
Wednesday 11 December 2024 11:04 , Daniel KeaneThe Government has just released its latest report into food security.
Here is a summary of the key findings:
- The UK was 75% self-sufficient in the food that can be grown in this country in 2023, and produced the equivalent of 62% of overall food consumed
- The country could experience long term declines in “natural capital”, including resources such as clean water, healthy soils and wildlife
- Extreme weather continues to have a significant effect on domestic production, particularly arable crops, fruit and vegetables
- The UK continues to be “highly dependent” on imports to meet demand for fruit, vegetables and seafood, which are significant sources of nutrients for consumers
Pictured: Nigel Farage arrives at farmer's protest
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:52 , Daniel KeaneThe Reform UK leader has arrived at the farmer’s protest with a banner reading “With our farmers”.
Tax expert warns that raising IHT will only 'slightly' slow land price inflation
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:45 , Daniel KeaneDr Arun Advani, director of the think tank CenTax, has told MPs at the Environment Committee that raising inheritance tax rates to 20 per cent for agricultural assets over £1 million will probably only “slightly” slow land price inflation.
He said: “The concern with the way the reform has been done is that it still leaves … roughly 20 per cent effective rate above the threshold that’s been set.
“One reason for doing that is because there are farmers who you might be concerned about, who are earning, who have wealth a bit above the current tax-free threshold, who you want to give a low rate to because of the well documented concerns about incomes of farmers.
“But the downside is it still means that if you have, say, £100 million or a billion pounds that you want to put into farmland, 20 per cent rate is still much more attractive than other sorts of assets.
“And so what you will still have in this world is people who want to buy up agricultural land, competing with genuine farmers, who are trying to expand their farm, who really are actually wanting to work on the land. They’re still going to have to compete with much better off people.”
Farmers arrive in Westminster for latest protest
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:27 , Daniel KeaneThe first tractors have arrived in Westminster with much fanfare, honking and drawing cheers from some passersby near Parliament Square in central London.
The tractors are driving around Parliament Square, many of them flying the Union flag.
They are also decorated with signs that read: “No farmers, no food”, “Not hungry, thank a farmer”, and “Save British Farming”.
Another sign read “Starmer Farmer Harmer”, and a second one “Reeves and Starmer, grave robbers”.
Pictured: Tractors line up outside Westminster
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:17 , Daniel Keane
Meanwhile... Environment committee kicks off in parliament
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:15 , Daniel KeaneThe Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has kicked off as farmers start to gather outside the Palace of Westminster for further protests against changes to inheritance tax.
MPs are first hearing from countryside and farming leaders and financial experts on the effects of the changes to inheritance tax.
First up is Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser at the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV), David Sturrock, senior research economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank and Stuart Maggs, head of tax and partner at Howes Percival law firm and Dr Arun Advani, director of the think tank CenTax.
Committee chairman Alistair Carmichael said: “This morning, we are going to be scrutinising the potential impacts of the proposed changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief on the farming sector.”
Labour insist commitment to farmers is 'steadfast'
Wednesday 11 December 2024 10:02 , Daniel KeaneEnvironment secretary Steve Reed has insisted that Labour’s commitment to farmer’s is “steadfast”.
He told reporters that the Government’s £5 billion two-year farming budget was “the largest ever directed at sustainable food production in our country’s history.”
Asked if Sir Keir was concerned farmers could get more militant and restrict food supplies, a spokesman for the PM said: “We have been very clear we are not going to change course on this policy.
“It was necessary to take tough decisions at the Budget and the spending review and those decisions remain.
“But our commitment to farmers is steadfast and our message to farmers is clear, that is why we provided £5 billion to the farming budget over two years including more money than ever for sustainable food production.”
Pictured: Tractor en route to Westminster
Wednesday 11 December 2024 09:46 , Daniel KeaneMotorists in London can expect to see tractors on the roads heading into central London this morning.
Farming campaigner Gareth Wyn Jones has captured one tractor en route to parliament.
And in they come . pic.twitter.com/J7Peoax5y6
— Gareth Wyn Jones (@1GarethWynJones) December 11, 2024
What are the protesters demanding?
Wednesday 11 December 2024 09:43 , Daniel KeaneToday’s protest is organised by Save British Farming, a campaign group set up to protect the agricultural industry and food security.
In a petition posted online, they have outlined various demands for the Government.
These include:
- Ensure fair trade and protect standards through trade deals that preserve high standards of food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection
- Stop the dishonest labelling of food, which they claim “deceives consumers and undermines British food”
- Address the shortage of labour through “immediate measures”
- Provide adequate funding and support by investing in “research, development and the adoption of modern farming techniques”
What is the farmer's protest all about?
Wednesday 11 December 2024 09:34 , Daniel KeaneThe extension of inheritance tax (IHT) to farms worth more than £1 million is the main reason behind the farmer’s protest.
The budget delivered by Rachel Reeves extends IHT to agricultural land and has drawn criticism from farmers.
It also freezes current inheritance tax thresholds for two more years from 2028 until 2030.
Currently the first £325,000 of an estate is tax free before being subject to IHT at 40 per cent, although various allowances mean for most people the actual threshold is much higher. The rate for farms will be 20 per cent as a 50 per cent relief will be available.
Labour insist that allowances mean most estates worth less than £3m will not pay any IHT.
Welcome
Wednesday 11 December 2024 09:26 , Daniel KeaneGood morning and welcome to the Standard’s live coverage of the upcoming farmer’s protest.
We are expecting tractors to line up on Whitehall at around 10am, with speeches to begin after midday.
As the farmer’s begin their demonstration, ministers will publish a report analysing the state of UK food security.
And MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will hear from countryside and farming leaders and financial experts on the impacts of the changes to inheritance tax.
