Farmers gathered in Whitehall today to protest against the Labour government’s plan to apply inheritance tax to larger farms. The farmers argue that this will force families who have been farming the same land for generations to sell their farms to pay the tax bill. The government claims that the changes are necessary to close a loophole that is being exploited by wealthy individuals.
Steve Reed, the environment minister, defended the tax changes, stating that half of farmland sold last year went to non-farmers trying to avoid inheritance tax. The National Farmers Union president, Tom Bradshaw, vowed to continue protesting until the government changes its mind, stating that farmers will not stay quiet in the face of disastrous impacts.
The day’s agenda included a rally at Church House in Westminster, a protest in Whitehall, a lobby briefing at Downing Street, and speeches and interviews with government officials. The protests mark the first major public showdown between the farming lobby and the Labour government, with both sides digging in their heels. As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and whether the government will back down in the face of farmer opposition.
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