Farmers from Kent recently drove their tractors to London to protest changes to inheritance tax. The changes, which will take effect in April 2026, could hurt the farming community.
The new law will tax inherited agricultural assets over £1 million at 20%. This is lower than the normal inheritance tax rate, but it still concerns many farmers. These assets were previously not taxed.
Simon Broad, a farmer from Penshurst, helped organize the protest. He worries the tax will make the UK rely more on food imports. “We need to control our own food supply,” he said. He also mentioned that world events and political unrest make food security more important than ever.
The government responded by saying the new tax is fair. They explained that it would help fund public services and affect around 500 estates each year.
However, many farmers are not convinced. Paul Vicary, a farmer from Sevenoaks, said that his family farm cannot afford the tax. “Most family farms don’t have enough cash flow to pay these taxes,” he explained. “We would have to cut our farm in half, and the remaining land wouldn’t be enough to survive on.”
Claire Seymour, a farmer from Cranbrook, also joined the protest. She said, “The government needs to support us now so we can keep growing food in the UK.”
Jazmin Glover, a fifth-generation farmer from Brands Hatch, also expressed concern. “If the tax comes, we won’t be able to take over our family farms,” she said. “Our generation won’t be able to continue farming.”
In November, farmers held a similar protest in Dover. They drove their tractors slowly on the roads to voice their anger over the new tax.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has promised to invest £5 billion into farming over the next two years. They also said they would change farm planning rules to help food production in the UK.
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