Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have been warned of further farmer protests and told to “show compassion” as the Government comes under further pressure over its planned farm tax.
The Chancellor announced that more farmers will have to pay inheritance tax from April 2026 in a major shake up.
But harvesters and rearers from across the country have voiced their opposition and distress at the move.
Tractors have been parked in Whitehall as part of multiple protests from farmers in recent months. Sir Keir was also forced to cut short a visit in Bukinghamshire last week due to a demonstration nearby.
Now, the Government has been warned that more protests could be held if ministers don’t amend their “disastrous” policy.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, external affairs director at the Countryside Alliance, said: “If the Government won’t engage with farmers meaningfully, show compassion to farming families or take food security seriously, they should expect further demonstrations, more visits to the countryside scuppered and a continuous drum beat of campaigning in their constituencies.
“The public side with farmers in opposition to the disastrous family farm tax, not the Government.”
He added: “There is no doubt Labour MPs in rural constituencies are equally appalled at the Treasury’s attempt at a bit of theatre today.
“I hope they do the right thing, get organised and join colleagues who have already spoken out about this damaging tax hike, before it’s too late.
“Their constituents are depending on them. The countryside is watching”.
Today, agricultural leaders left a meeting with the Treasury with “boiling blood” after the Government faced down their arguments to rethink the proposed changes to inheritance tax on farms.
Exchequer Secretary James Murray and Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner spoke to representatives of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA), the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said that the group of representatives were “really cross today”.
He added that ministers showed “no movement” on the policy after they outlined their concerns and put forward solutions.
