Farmers are taking part in go-slow drive today, Friday, January 10, to protest against the Government’s new inheritance tax rules. They have taken to the main A303 this morning between Ilminster and Sparkford, in Somerset.
Campaign group Farmers for Action are organising the protest, in a bid to raise awareness of the government proposals to introduce inheritance tax to farms across the UK. Speaking ahead of the go-slow drive, one Farmers for Action farmer, Michael, said: “Thank you for coming today. We’re Famers for Action. We’re trying to raise awareness with the public and government about the unfair rules that they’re bringing in.
“Farmers for Action have got a plan […] We’re we’re trying to abolish inheritance tax and restore the APR and BPR. The second one is fairness in food pricing and the national food security, so all things that are close to our heart.”
The government has refused to back down on its proposed budget plans to change the rules on inheritance tax on farmers. There has been significant backlash since the announcement, with warnings the new rules could destroy family farms.
Under the changes, farming estates worth more than £1 million would be liable for 20 per cent inheritance tax from April 2026.
This is a live blog. Please scroll down for the latest updates.