Farmers and tractors line up in Whitehall

The Government says it’s support for the sector is ‘steadfast’

Dozens of tractors have lined up in Whitehall to protest against the Government’s changes to inheritance tax for farmers.

The Government says it’s support for the sector is ‘steadfast’. 

Will 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.”

He argues the Government have been “misguided” on farmers’ ability to pay inheritance tax, forcing farmers to sell parts of their land, cattle, flock, or machinery to afford to pay for the tax.

He said: “They got the wrong data and way more farmers are going to be affected than what they say. We’ll lose the fabric of the rural countryside. Farms will get split up, the land is not going to get taken care of, we’ll lose habitat – and more importantly, we’re not going to be able to grow the food if we haven’t got the farms.

Published: 11/12/2024 by Radio NewsHub