Farmers could be arrested if they drive their tractors at the latest rally against Rachel Reeves’ inheritance tax in London, police have said.
The “Pancake Day Rally” on Tuesday will be “bigger and better” than the previous two protests, organisers say. Farmers will march from Whitehall at around midday towards Parliament. The demonstration is due to end at 3pm. But rules have been triggered under the Public Order Act preventing demonstrators from bringing tractors, other than a limited number already agreed by the organisers to demonstrate the costs of such specialist equipment, the Metropolitan Police said.
Last month’s protest saw a “significant number of people attend with tractors and other large farming vehicles”, Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Ben Russell said. There were lengthy road delays, he added.
The officer also said: “It is our responsibility to ensure that protests don’t cause serious disruption to the life of the community.”
Police warned that it is a criminal offence to breach the conditions or to incite others to do so, and that anyone doing so may face arrest.
“We don’t need any tractors, this is on foot,” Farmer Olly Harrison, one of the organisers, said
“We are going to have some kit to show to the MPs to explain the levels of investment.
“We’ve sorted all that out, you just get yourself there on foot.”
He added: “Let’s explain the levels of investment needed in agriculture just to produce something simple like a pancake.”
A 20% inheritance tax rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1million is to be rolled out from April 2026.
This is despite concerns that it will force land sales, stall investment, and hurt families lacking succession plans.
A Government spokesperson said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast.
“This Government will invest £5 billion into farming over the next two years, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history.
“We are going further with reforms to boost profits for farmers by backing British produce and reforming planning rules on farms to support food production.
“Our reform to agricultural and business property relief will mean three-quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all, while the remaining quarter will pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free.
“This is a fair and balanced approach which helps fix the public services we all rely on.”
