An estimated 20,000 farmers and their families have taken part in a huge Westminster rally against Labour’s so-called “tractor tax”.
Jeremy Clarkson was among the famous faces joining a day of protest which also saw hundreds of National Farmers’ Union members lobby MPs against Labour’s inheritance tax shake-up announced in last month’s Budget.
Huge crowds protested in Whitehall and Parliament Square, with coach loads of farmers travelling from around the UK for the demonstration.
A Met Police officer at the protest told the Standard there were 20,000 protesters in Whitehall at 11am on Tuesday.
Inheritance tax changes have sparked fury across the farming industry with the Budget limiting the existing 100% relief for farms to only the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.
The NFU says farms producing the country’s food will need to be broken up and sold as a result of the policy.
Follow the latest updates below...
Key Points
- 'I want to sit down with the Chancellor and sort this mess out' says National Farmers' Union chief
- Changes to inheritance tax are 'catastrophic' claims farmer
- Why are farmers going on strike?
- Jeremy Clarkson asks Government 'please back down' as he arrives at protest
That's all for today
18:59 , Daniel KeaneThank you for following our live coverage of the farmers’ protest.
Starmer shows no signs of u-turn
18:12 , Tom DavidsonSir Keir Starmer has said he is “very confident” that the “vast majority” of farmers will not be affected by changes to inheritance tax.
Speaking at a press conference at the G20 in Brazil, the Prime Minister said: “Firstly, £5 billion was set aside in the Budget over the next two years for farming.
“That is the single-biggest amount of money into farming and sustainable food production that has ever been set aside in any Budget, ever. So that’s a real statement of intent in terms of supporting farmers.
“There’s also money to deal with flooding, which is a huge problem for farmers, and money to deal with the outbreak of disease, which can be catastrophic for farmers if they lose their livestock.
“On the question of inheritance tax, the example I’ve given is a typical example of parents wanting to pass on a farm to one of their children, and in those cases, when you look at all the thresholds available, that means that only farms over the value of £3 million will be affected by the changes, and therefore the vast majority of farms will be unaffected, and those that are affected will only pay half the inheritance tax that other people pay- 20% – and they will have a 10-year period over which to pay it.
“And so that’s why I’m very confident in saying that the vast majority will not be affected. How farmers then arrange their affairs within their family is obviously a matter for them.”
Starmer declines to say whether Clarkson spread misinformation
18:06 , Daniel KeaneSir Keir Starmer declined to say whether Jeremy Clarkson had spread misinformation by claiming 96 per cent of farmers will be affected by inheritance tax changes.
"I'm not going to get into the business of commenting on what Jeremy Clarkson says," the Prime Minister told a press conference when asked if the TV presenter had spread misinformation.
"I think the facts speak for themselves.
"As I've said on a number of occasions, for a typical family wanting to pass on through the family which is... completely understood, then with all the allowances in place, if they pass onto a child it's a £3 million threshold.
"All of you can check out what that means in terms of the impact, I think the BBC has already done it.
"But it means that the vast majority of farms are unaffected by this."
Labour hit back at farmers' protest
17:51 , Daniel KeaneThe Labour party has hit back at the farmers’ protest with a post on X entitled “The truth about Labour’s budget and farmers”.
The post says: “Estates worth up to £3 million could still be passed on by a couple completely free of inheritance tax.”
It also reiterates that “when inheritance tax does apply, farmers will still pay 50 per cent less inheritance tax than everyone else”.
This is the truth about Labour's Budget and farmers. pic.twitter.com/YZTnty96Xt
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) November 19, 2024
Financial experts see rise in farmers seeking advice
17:11 , Daniel KeaneFinancial experts have reported a rise in the number of farmers seeking financial advice.
Jason Hollands, managing director of Evelyn Partners, said: "Changes in the Budget as to how certain assets are treated for inheritance tax have been a major source of concern for both existing and potential clients, especially in relation to the treatment of pensions, but also for business owners and farmers, too, due to the capping of reliefs.
"The measures announced by Rachel Reeves have upended many people's financial plans and therefore since the Budget we have been very busy helping people understand the implications of these measures and explore their options.”
Sean McCann, chartered financial planner at insurer NFU Mutual, said: "We've seen a growing number of farmers wanting to know how the proposed changes will affect them and their families.
"Many are concerned their successors may need to sell land or buildings to pay an inheritance tax bill leading to smaller, less efficient farms as a result."
Limiting winter fuel allowance 'will push another 100,000 pensioners into poverty'
16:35 , Daniel KeaneIn other politics news, modelling just released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that limiting the winter fuel allowance will mean an estimated 100,000 more pensioners will be in relative poverty after housing costs in 2027.
The Government analysis of the impact of its decision to restrict the payment was published by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee today.
A document showing internal modelling estimates stated: "Compared to the numbers that would have been in poverty without this policy, it is estimated that in each year in question there will be an additional 50,000 pensioners in relative poverty after housing costs in FYE (financial year ending) 2025, 2026 and 2028, and an additional 100,000 pensioners in relative poverty after housing costs in FYE 2027, 2029 and 2030.
"For all other measures of poverty it is estimated that there will be an additional 50,000 pensioners in poverty each year from FYE 2025 to 2030."
Farmer says prices will have to increase if tax rise is not reversed
16:09 , Daniel KeaneAn 18-year-old farmer has told the BBC that the price of food may go up if Labour’s inheritance tax rise is not reversed.
Henry Hickam told the BBC in Westminster: “If we have to pay this money for inheritance tax, we will not be able to put the money back into the farm to grow it bigger and grow better food for Britain.”
He claimed that the tax rises would cost his family's farm tens of thousands of pounds.
'It will take more than snow to dampen farmers' fury over inheritance tax change'
15:39 , Jacob PhillipsTens of thousands of farmers gathered at Whitehall in bitterly cold conditions for a major protest against "cruel" changes to inheritance tax which they say will cripple family farms, our report at the scene Lydia Chantler-Hicks reports.
On the coldest day of the year - which saw snow fall in Westminster - more than 20,000 people from all corners of the nation gathered to urge the Government to scrap the so-called "tractor tax".
Jeremy Clarkson, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey were among those who addressed the shivering crowd, along with farmers who spoke passionately about the fears for their livelihoods.
Around 20,000 people had been expected at the rally, but that number had been surpassed by 11am, police at the scene told The Standard, and plans for a short protest march were scrapped over safety concerns.
A massive crowd greeted former Top Gear star-turned-farmer Mr Clarkson with roaring cheers as he took the stage - having battled back pain to make the protest.
Read more about what the protests were like here.
Inheritance tax changes needed to plug £22 billion blackhole, says minister
15:12 , Jacob PhillipsThe Environment Secretary has insisted that the changes to farmer inheritance tax are necessary to help plug the £22billion "blackhole" in Government finances.
Steve Reed is being grilled by MPs this afternoon in his first appearance before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
He defended the controversial "tractor tax" not being included in Labour's manifesto, telling the Committee: "The circumstances as they appeared before the election were different after the election because we believe the previous government deliberately covered up the state of the pubic finances."
Comment: The farmer's protest is a consequence of Labour's pre-election tax choices
14:56 , Josh SalisburyA day like today is not a day for false dichotomies, we can leave those at home, writes Jack Kessler.
But governments generally face a simple choice when it comes to raising money, between broad-based taxes (e.g. income tax) or granular (e.g. inheritance tax threshold changes for farmers). Both have their advantages and disadvantages, as is being played out in real time today on the streets of Westminster.
Yesterday's newsletter was not especially favourable to the idea that this is about threats to food security. Britain is not and has not for centuries been self-sufficient in food production. Farmers are protesting about a change to their tax affairs, as is their right. But that is not to say that I am much sympathetic to the position in which the government finds itself either.
Prior to the general election, Keir Starmer pledged not to raise taxes on 'working people'. After much prodding, it was confirmed that this included income tax, national insurance* and VAT. As a short-term political calculation, this decision had a lot going for it. The Conservatives were desperate to portray Labour as a big spending, big tax party, and having been locked out of government for 14 years, Starmer was not prepared to take any chances.
And it is hard to fault a winning strategy. Labour secured a majority of 174, the largest since Tony Blair. Yet having ruled out increases to the three largest taxes, while inheriting both a fiscal straightjacket and crumbling public services, all that was left was smaller pots of money. This brings its own problems.
Welsh Conservatives leader: Change shows Labour is out of touch
14:34 , Josh SalisburyAndrew RT Davies, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, has said the Government's "flippant attitude towards farmers underlines how out of touch Labour is", Rachael Burford writes.
The Tories lost all of their Welsh MPs at the last election, while Labour won 27 of the 32 Welsh seats, up nine from 2019.
Mr Davies added: “Labour’s devastating death tax will decimate Welsh farms yet the First Minister still has no idea how many farms will be impacted and is defending a policy that she does not fully understand.
“While the Welsh Conservatives will always stand up for our farmers, Labour simply do not get it: No farmers, no food.”
Farmer vows further action if Government goes ahead with change
14:20 , Josh SalisburyA farmer has vowed she would take part in measures to disrupt food supplies if the Government does not back down over inheritance tax changes.
Emma Robinson, 44, who was taking part in Tuesday’s protest, told the Reuters news agency she was "absolutely livid".
"It was my baton and I was going to pass it on to my kids," said Ms Robinson, who said her farm in northwest England has been in her family for 500 years.
“It's being taken out of my hands by someone that's been in parliament for literally days."
Justin Trott, a farmer from Somerset, added he was angry about what the tax changes meant for his family's future as he pointed to his two-year-old son.
"It's a complete attack on the rural culture of life," he said.
Badenoch: Change 'will destroy farming as we know it'
14:05 , Josh SalisburySpeaking earlier at the rally, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the changes would “destroy farming as we know it”.
In a speech from the stage at the Westminster demo, Ms Badenoch dubbed the inheritance tax change a “family farms tax” and called for Labour to reverse the move.
She said she wanted farmers to know “we have your backs”, adding: “Farming is the backbone of this country.”
Inheritance tax shake-up explained
13:46 , Jacob PhillipsOver 20,000 farmers and protesters have gathered in Whitehall today but what exactly are they demonstrating against?
Previously, farming businesses qualified for 100% relief on inheritance tax on agricultural property and business property.
But now the tax is being imposed on farms worth more than £1 million, with an effective tax rate of 20% on assets above the threshold, rather than the normal 40% rate for inheritance tax.
The Government says that the actual threshold before paying inheritance tax could be as much as £3 million, once exemptions for each partner in a couple and for the farm property are taken into account.
The Government has said “difficult decisions” had to be made to fill a £22 billion fiscal hole it inherited from the Tories,
You can read more about the changes and inheritance tax in our explainer here.
Official protest has ended, says Met Police
13:26 , Jacob PhillipsThe “official protest” has come to an end, the Met Police has said, asking for people to move out of the roads.
In an update on X, the force wrote: “The crowd is dispersing.
“We’re asking those who wish to stay in the area to move onto pavements so we can get the roads reopened and minimise further disruption.”
'You lot got a knee in the nuts' in the budget says Clarkson
13:21 , Jacob PhillipsEarlier on Tuesday Jeremy Clarkson said he had come to understand how “unbelievably difficult [farming] is, and dangerous, and cold”.
Addressing the farmers’ protest in Westminster he said farmers faced costs, pressure from environmentalists and regulations, and “we have all these complications and costs, and there’s very little money in it as you know – and then we got the Budget”.
“I know a lot of people across the country in all walks of life took a bit of a kick on the shin with that Budget. You lot got a knee in the nuts and a hammer blow to the back of the head.”
He added: “For the sake of everybody here, and for all the farmers stuck at home paralysed by a fog of despair over what’s been foisted on them, I beg of the Government to be big and accept this was rushed through, it wasn’t thought out and it was a mistake.
“That’s the big thing to do, and back down.”
Pictures show scale of Farmers of the Future protest
13:10Earlier we reported that a convoy of children on toy tractors had pedalled through Westminster.
Photographers at the scene have captured the unusual moment with the large fleet seen passing Big Ben.
Tractor drives over police barrier at farmers' protest
13:02 , Jacob PhillipsFootage is circulating on social media of police standing in front of a tractor in Westminster after the vehicles reportedly broke down barricades.
The Met Police posted on X: “We’ve been engaging with those who brought tractors today and had no concerns with them driving around.
“However driving over a police barrier line is not acceptable and the drivers will be reported for the offence.”
We’ve been engaging with those who brought tractors today and had no concerns with them driving around.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 19, 2024
However driving over a police barrier line is not acceptable and the drivers will be reported for the offence. https://t.co/XWHvXGHALp
'Family farm tax isn't just cruel - it's stupid too' says Sir Ed Davey
12:58 , Jacob PhillipsThe Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has labelled Labour’s inheritance tax measures as “cruel”.
He told crowds in Westminster that Labour does not understand rural communities.
He added: “This family farm tax isn’t just cruel - it’s stupid too. What the Government needs to understand is that if British farmers can’t make the sums add up, if you have to close down and sell up, how on earth are we going to feed ourselves as a country?
“Who else will put healthy, nutritious food on our tables? Who else is going to care for our countryside or our environment, if we lose the families who have been doing it so passionately for generations?”
“Rest assured, Liberal Democrats will keep making your voices heard in Parliament, fighting for more support for farmers and to stop the family farm tax.”
Over 10,000 people protesting against inheritance tax measures
12:53 , Jacob PhillipsFarmers will remain outside Whitehall rather than marching to Parliament Square due to the size of the crowd, the Met Police has said.
The force said there are more than 10,000 people present in Whitehall with more arriving.
We understand that due to the size of the crowd, which now stretches past the Cenotaph, the organisers have decided against trying to turn everyone round to march to Parliament Square.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 19, 2024
The protest will continue in Whitehall instead. pic.twitter.com/Snjs8um5YR
Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch and Sir Ed Davey among crowds
12:50 , Jacob PhillipsReform UK leader Nigel Farage, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey were among the thousands of people in London for the farmers’ protest.
Sir Ed told farmers in Whitehall “You deserve so much better”.
Meanwhile, Mr Farage told farmers at the protest: “I can feel myself that today is not just about inheritance tax. It really is farmers versus Starmer.”
Downing Street buckles down on changes to inheritance tax
12:47 , Jacob PhillipsChanges to inheritance tax are “balanced and proportionate,” Downing Street maintained, as it urged “caution” around “calculations that are done based on the value of assets alone”.
Asked whether farmers protesting in Westminster had misunderstood the Government’s policy, a Number 10 spokeswoman said: “Farmers are the stewards of our countryside and we do not underestimate their important contribution to the economy and also our rural economy.
“The Prime Minister has spoken about his personal commitment to farmers, evident from the increased £5 billion support we’ve committed over two years in the Budget.
“When it comes to the decisions that we’ve taken, we’ve not taken these lightly, but the Government inherited a £22 billion black hole in the public finances and we had to take difficult decisions to rebalance the public finances and also ensure we’re supporting the public services that everyone relies on, farmers and families in rural communities included.
“As to the changes, we maintain that they are balanced and proportionate and that only around 500 claims a year are expected to be affected.”
She said this analysis was based on information from HMRC and “the actual claims for agricultural property relief”.
“We would urge caution around calculations that are done based on the value of assets alone. Other factors contribute to inheritance tax. .. that’s why our calculations are based on actual claims that have been made.”
The spokeswoman added: “We don’t underestimate the concerns and the strength of feeling, and we want to continue to have a dialogue with farmers and communicate how this works and listen to any concerns.”
Farmers of the future protest begins in Westminster
12:31 , Jacob PhillipsA ‘Farmers of the future’ protest has begun as children in toy tractors are cycling their way around Parliament Square as farmers were told they would face arrest for blocking London roads with their vehicles.
'A tax based on half the trust could destroy farms forever' says fifth generation farmer
12:20 , Jacob PhillipsFifth-generation farmer Claire Wise has told crowds in Westminster how the changes to inheritance tax may “rip the heart out of the countryside”.
She told crowds: “Last year I struggled to buy school shoes for our children after harvest because farmers are asset-rich but we are cash-poor.
“Yet with one tax based on half the truth this government seeks to destroy mine and your farms forever. But I will not be their statistic.”
She added: “For five generations, for 139 years, for 50,375 days, through two world wars, through family tragedy, through a Covid epidemic, my family turned up to produce food every single day.”
“You destroy me and mine and you rip the heart out of the countryside and push food prices up, “said Claire Wise, growing emotional as she wrapped up her speech.
The mother of three finished by saying: “Buckle up Starmer because you're not gonna win this fight.”
Government 'fell and hit its head on the pavement' at the budget, says farmer
12:03 , Jacob PhillipsMartin Williams, a third-generation farmer from Herefordshire, has warned the government is making “grave errors” in the economy.
He told crowds: “Winston Churchill once said you can’t tax your way to prosperity.
“This government unfortunately, despite wanting to hit the ground running, tripped at the election and at the budget it fell and hit its head on the pavement.
“They are making grave, grave errors in this economy. We need production. We do not need a cost of living crisis based on tax. That is what we have at the moment.
“We need prosperity in the countryside and in business. Allow us to do our job.”
'You have to do this to feed the voters that trusted you' says Youtube farmer
11:57Farmer and Youtuber Olly Harrison has been speaking to crowds at Westminster.
He told protesters: “They think they can replace us with importing food. They can’t. Feeding a nation on imported food is a dangerous place to be for any country.
“Just ask them over there that’s the Ministry of Defence. They understand the importance of food, in keeping a nation running.
“Remember as well for every pound we spend on importing food we may not see that back in our economy.
“Think about that please treasury. The Government must listen.”
He added “We will not be taxed into bankruptcy. We will not be bribed with political rhetoric.
“Downing Street if you can hear us you need to fix this.
“You have to do this to feed the voters that trusted you.”
Nigel Farage joins protesters
11:39 , Jacob PhillipsReform UK leader Nigel Farage has been spotted in the crowds at the farmer protests.
Presenter and journalist Rachel Johnson and former Evening Standard editor Emily Sheffield have also been seen at the rally.
'Don't bite the hand that feeds you' protesters demand
11:36 , Jacob PhillipsThousands and thousands of farmers are now assembled waiting for speeches to begin, our reporter at the scene Lydia Chanter-Hicks reports.
Huge cheers broke out as Jeremy Clarkson arrived a short while ago flanked by photographers and reporters.
Meanwhile, protesters are holding signs with slogans including “Don't bite the hand that feeds you,” “No farmers no food no future,” “Check your stats, axe the tax” and “ RIP UK food”.
The crowd is a sea of green coats and hats filling Whitehall despite the freezing cold conditions.
Four speakers are due to address the large crowd at around 11.30am.
It's time for them to say 'we've cocked this one up a bit' and back down, says Clarkson
11:25 , Jacob PhillipsJeremy Clarkson said Rachel Reeves has used a “blunderbuss” to hit farmers as he arrived in London to protest against changes to agricultural inheritance tax.
Walking towards the protest in Westminster on Tuesday morning, he joked that he was in London to do “a bit of Christmas shopping” before telling the PA news agency: “I’m here to support the farmers, it’s that simple, because they need all the help they can get really, even from me.”
Asked about his comments in an interview with the Times in 2021 that avoiding inheritance tax was “the critical thing” in his decision to buy land, he said: “That’s actually quite funny because the real reason I bought the farm was because I wanted to shoot, so I thought if I told a bunch of people that I bought a farm so I could shoot pheasants it might look bad.
“So, I thought I better come up with another excuse, so I said inheritance tax. I actually didn’t know about inheritance tax until after I bought it. I didn’t mind, obviously, but the real reason I bought it is because I wanted to shoot.”
He said he opposed the tax changes, adding: “If she’d have wanted to take out the likes of James Dyson and investment bankers and so on, she would have used a sniper’s rifle, but she’s used a blunderbuss and she’s hit all this lot.
“It was – as I understand it – it was a very rushed last-minute decision and I think we all make mistakes in life, and I think it’s time for them to say ‘you know what, we’ve cocked this one up a bit’ and back down.”
Cabinet minister slams rich for 'farmland tax dodge'
11:20 , Jacob PhillipsA Cabinet minister claimed swathes of farmland in Britain are being used by the wealthy to dodge inheritance tax.
As thousands of farmers were protesting in London, Environment Secretary Steve Reed went on the offensive in defending reforms to the levy.
He tweeted: “Half of farmland sold last year went to non-farmers including wealthy individuals trying to avoid inheritance tax.
“It’s right that tax changes will ensure everyone pays their fair share - and young farmers can realise their dream of buying their own farm.”
Read more about Labour’s response to the protests here.
'Please back down' Jeremy Clarkson asks Government
11:13Jeremy Clarkson has asked the Government to back down as he arrived at the farmer’s protests over changes to inheritance tax.
Speaking to reporters he simply said: “Please, back down” before later adding “It’s the end” when quizzed about how bad the new measures could be for farmers.
Clarkson, who runs a farm in Chipping Norton, was pictured holding a sign saying: "With our farmers."
Jeremy Clarkson arrives at farmers' protest
10:54 , Jacob PhillipsJeremy Clarkson has arrived in central London to join the farmers’ protest over the changes to inheritance tax.
The former Top Gear presenter earlier said he was defying doctor’s orders to attend the protest.
Also pictured were his Clarkson Farm co-stars Charlie Ireland and Kaleb Cooper.
'Only a few hundred farms would be impacted,' says Environment Secretary
10:48 , Jacob PhillipsResponding to the protests in Westminster, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has insisted that only a few hundred farms would be impacted, rather than the tens of thousands claimed by critics of the inheritance tax change.
He told PA: “The Government’s been very clear: about 500 farms will be affected and the vast majority of farms will pay nothing more under the new scheme.
“That figure has been validated now by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility and by the independent financial think tank the IFS.
“There are all sorts of other figures flying around that I don’t recognise.
“If farmers look at the facts they will see the vast majority of them will pay nothing more under the new scheme than they did under the old scheme.”
Thousands gather in Westminster as farmers protest gets underway
10:40 , Jacob PhillipsThousands of farmers have gathered in Westminster to protest against the inheritance tax changes.
Meanwhile, t-shirts are being thrown into the crowd, some with slogans saying “Keir Starmer the family farmer harmer” and “No family farm death tax”.
A makeshift stage has been made surrounded by hay bales and speeches are now underway.
Sheep farmer hits out at 'blanket policy'
10:35 , Jacob PhillipsSheep farmer Kieron Goodall-Lomax, from Derbyshire, told the Standard “another Labour government does not understand the countryside”.
He added that the government is “determined to rob future generations of an opportunity”.
The farmer was protesting against the “blanket policy” with his six-year-old son Jonty.
He added: “This is just going to break up family farms and really put a lot of pressure on an industry facing quite a lot of difficulty.”
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Inheritance tax changes 'will rip the heart of family farms' says union chief
10:08 , Jacob PhillipsNational Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw told members gathered for a mass lobby of their MPs over the changes to inheritance tax for farming businesses that the policy “will rip the heart of family farms”.
Mr Bradshaw received a standing ovation from the gathered farmers after his impassioned speech, in which he said an estimated 75% of commercial farm businesses “were caught in the eye of this storm” of a policy which he described as a “stab in the back”.
He warned the inheritance tax change was the straw that broke the camel’s back, along with a host of issues in the Budget, and said: “The impact for retail prices and shelf prices is going to have to be dramatic. It’s an inflationary budget for food production and you in this group have nothing left to give.
“It’s been nothing but a bad Budget and I’ve never seen anything like it in my lifetime.”
He urged NFU members to join the rally organised by other farmers in Westminster to show politicians a united front by the sector.
Here are the latest pictures from the scene:
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Protest numbers double in Whitehall
10:01 , Jacob PhillipsThe number of farmers turning up to protest in Whitehall has doubled in size.
There are now around 250 to 300 people protesting in the area.
Richard Wheelwright, 58, from Halifax West Yorkshire told the Standard that he is scared he may have to “buy his own farm back”.
He told the Standard: “This tax is going to take 20 per cent of everything they have done in the past generation.
“I am personally the one who is going to have to find around £600,000 to keep the farm.
“Really I am going to have to buy my own farm back. It’s quite frightening.”
He added that the inheritance tax changes could “completely change everything” and described farmers as “the silent army” who produce the nation’s food.
He continued: “A plumber needs a van as a tool. We need land as a tool. It’s worth a vast fortune but we never see the money. All we are is custodians of the land we look after it and we pass it on to the next generation.”
He labelled land as “a tool for the land” and added that farmers never see the money.
Protest numbers growing in Whitehall
09:44 , Jacob PhillipsAll around Westminster there are now hundreds of people of all ages - from toddlers to elderly men with walking sticks - converging on Whitehall in the perishing cold ahead of the protest, our reporter at the scene Lydia Chantler Hicks writes.
They're very distinct from the suited government workers who are also milling around as they're largely clad in flat hats, wellies, tweed, and waxed jackets.
Farmers discussing striking over inheritance tax issues, says protester
09:40 , Jacob PhillipsA fourth-generation family farmer said there is a possibility he and other farmers will strike if changes to agricultural property relief are not reversed.
Richard Wainwright, 58, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was at Church House Conference Centre in central London on Tuesday morning ahead of a meeting with the National Farmers' Union (NFU).
Mr Wainwright, whose grandfather began farming with a few cows and delivered milk to the surrounding area, told the PA news agency: "We are talking about possibly striking. I hope it doesn't come to that because that's seriously going to impact the food chain."
On the impact on his farm, he said: "We've got to possibly sell a 20% share of the farmland to be able to cover the tax bill. For us it's around £600,000 we are going to have to pay."It's like I'm going to have to buy my own farm back."
Hay bales placed in the road and toy tractors ready to go
09:21 , Jacob PhillipsProtesters have begun placing hay bales in the road and toy tractors have been put out in Whitehall ahead of the farmers’ protests.
Hay bales could be seen being placed on the roadside and on the street in Whitehall near Westminster.
Roughly 150 protesters have gathered so far and Whitehall has been turned into a sea of tweed caps and jackets, our reporter at the scene Lydia Chantler-Hicks reports.
Protesters have begun to gather in Whitehall
09:11 , Jacob PhillipsFarmers have begun to gather in Whitehall to protest against changes to inheritance tax.
One farmer Jack Greenaway, from Devon, told the Standard he believes the policy is going to “wipe out a large percentage of the food in England”.
He said: “I don’t think we have much hope, the next generation of farmers aren’t going to be able to pass down farms to their families.
“That’s generations of generations of knowledge passed down between each other.
“Food security is going to be absolutely destroyed.”
'I want to sit down with the Chancellor and sort this mess out' says union leader
08:48The president of the National Farmers’ Union has called for a meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves to try and resolve the row over the Inheritance tax changes.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed has treated the farming industry with “contempt”, Tom Bradshaw added.
He told LBC: “The way he’s treated the industry with contempt in what he’s been writing has landed very, very badly.”
Of the meeting he had with Mr Reed on Monday, the union president said: “I hope the Secretary of State was listening, I hope the Government are listening, I want to sit down with the Chancellor and sort this mess out.”
Asked about how many farmers will be affected by the changes to inheritance tax, Mr Bradshaw said: “There’s huge mistrust in the numbers, even Defra and the Treasury can’t agree on the number.
“Our numbers suggest that 75% of commercial farms, those farms producing this country’s food, are caught in the eye of this storm.”
On the seven-year gifting rule, Mr Bradshaw said the farmers in the “twilight of their careers” who may not expect to live for that amount of time “have been cut off at the knees”.
Tractors arrive in Westminster
08:39 , Jacob PhillipsA convoy of tractors, some with Union Flags draped on them, have been seen passing the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge ahead of the farmers' protests.
The first protests are expected to get underway shortly.
Changes to inheritance tax are 'catastrophic' says farmer
08:27Changes to inheritance tax paid by farmers are “catastrophic” for the agricultural sector, a farmer has said.
Thousands of farmers are descending on the capital to protest against planned changes to agricultural property relief.
Farmers are arriving at Church House Conference Centre where NFU members are meeting on Tuesday morning.
Tom Walton, a farmer from Buckinghamshire, told the PA news agency: “My motivation is to try and engage with the Government to make them understand why the changes that they’ve made in the Budget are so catastrophic for the agricultural sector and the nation’s food security in general.
“This is likely to be the first of many engagements that we have with the Government. If today is successful, then that’s terrific, and if not then we will continue to apply pressure.”
Senior Tory accuses Labour of being 'economically illiterate'
08:23 , Jacob PhillipsShadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins has condemned the Government’s “economically illiterate” approach to tax.
She told GB News: “If any of us care about our countryside, if we want to see the picturesque views that we have – across my home county of Lincolnshire, but (also) across the country – if we care about the quality of our crops, if we care about animal welfare, then family farming in the United Kingdom is critical to achieving all of these aims.
“And this claim that Labour has come up with today to try and divert attention away from the march, that somehow this inheritance tax and this rise in national insurance is to pay for the NHS, is economically illiterate.
“Because, as we know, this is going to raise a fraction of what, in fact, we put into the NHS and are proud to do so.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Environment Secretary Steve Reed have said the reduction in inheritance tax relief offered to farmers would “ensure that wealthier estates and the most valuable farms pay their fair share to invest in our schools and health services”.
'Labour has destroyed a contract between farming and the government', says union leader
08:18 , Jacob PhillipsLabour has “destroyed” a “contract” between farming and the government dating back to the Second World War with its changes to inheritance tax, the president of the National Famers’ Union (NFU) has said.
Tom Bradshaw told Sky News: “There’s always been an understanding, a contract, between farming and society, farming and the government, ever since the Second World War, and this Labour Government have just destroyed that contract with the changes they proposed to the inheritance tax.”
He said NFU members are “asset-rich but cash-poor”.
“We’d love to pay more tax,” Mr Bradshaw continued. “If we get proper margins from food production, and we end up swelling the Treasury coffers, bring it on.
“But at the moment the supply chain doesn’t give us those returns that enable us to save the money to pay the inheritance tax that this Government now wants to take.”
He added that Environment Secretary Steve Reed said when he was in opposition that the Government would not change agricultural property relief.
“This industry has been betrayed,” Mr Bradshaw went on. “They said they wouldn’t make this change and suddenly they’ve gone ahead and done it.”
'Only hobby farms are likely to fall below the threshold' claims farmer
07:54 , Jacob PhillipsA farmer has told the Standard that many farms may be hit by the new inheritance tax measures.
Ben Theo Andrews who farms 600 acres in North Herefordshire with his parents, believes “only hobby farms with a paddock and a couple of alpacas are likely to fall below the threshold”.
Writing for the Standard he added: “North Herefordshire is a beautiful part of the county and despite our plot just about being large enough to support one person, it would easily fall within the scope of the new rules but would likely be unviable should both a mortgage and repayments on an inheritance tax loan be due.”
He also highlighted a post circulated on social media last month which said that a farmer had taken his own life.
Last week the farmer’s son identified him as John Charlesworth, a 78-year-old farmer from Barnsley, Yorkshire.
He confirmed that his father, distraught by the thought of his farm having to be sold to pay inheritance tax, had ended his life so that his family could inherit the 70-acres without penalty.
You can read more from Mr Andrews here.
Government minister defends changes to inheritance tax
07:37 , Jacob PhillipsPolicing minister Dame Diana Johnson has defended the changes to inheritance tax as farmers travelled to Westminster to campaign against the move.
Asked if she wanted to apologise to farmers, she told Times Radio: “I fully understand the strength of feeling that the farming community have and, of course, they have the right to come and protest and lobby Parliament, as we’re seeing happening already this morning.
“But the Labour government, when it came in in July, was having to face some very difficult decisions because of the economic mess that we inherited and the £22 billion black hole in the public finances.
“So, difficult decisions have had to be made. So, I think that that is the backdrop to this.
“I also want to recognise that there is money going into farming. There’s over £5 billion over the next two years that the Government is putting into farming and the number of farms that will be affected by the changes are relatively small.”
Why are farmers going on strike?
07:32 , Jacob PhillipsAs the controversy over the new “tractor tax” intensifies thousands of farmers are heading to central London this morning to protest against the measures.
The changes to inheritance tax brought in at the recent budget have upset farmers, who say they will suffer the most from the new system.
The extension of inheritance tax (IHT) to farms worth more than £1 million (although allowances mean most estates worth less than £3m will not pay any IHT) has already sparked protests outside the Welsh Labour conference, which have been made worse by the lack of clarity about the Treasury numbers that underpin the change.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently announced that food shortages will be addressed if farmers follow through on their threat to go on strike over inheritance tax plans.
You can read more details about why farmers are going on strike in our explainer piece here.
Jeremy Clarkson to defy doctors' orders to join protests
07:24 , Jacob PhillipsJeremy Clarkson is expected to defy doctor’s orders and join thousands of other farmers in Westminster to protest against Labour’s inheritance tax changes.
The former Top Gear presenter will be at the rally alongside his Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper despite being told he should avoid stressful situations.
He told the Sun: “I will be there, despite having letters from doctors telling me not to go on the march and saying I must avoid stress.”
He added: “We have got two coaches of farmers from around here who are leaving from Diddly Squat. It is a hugely important issue.”
It is understood that Clarkson has been in chats with rally organisers to give a speech at the protest.
You can read more on the issue here.
Hundreds of Met Police officers ready for farmers' Westminster protest
07:13 , Jacob PhillipsHundreds of police officers will be on duty on Tuesday morning as angry farmers descend on Westminster to protest against Labour’s inheritance tax changes.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman told the Standard on Monday: “We are well prepared for tomorrow's protest.
“Our officers have had positive discussions with the protest organisers who have confirmed their event will begin at Richmond Terrace, off Whitehall, at 11am.
“There will be speeches, before a procession to nearby Parliament Square.
“We will have officers deployed in the vicinity to ensure the event takes place safely, lawfully and in a way that prevents serious disruption.
“We are aware of speculation online that we have tried to ban tractors from the event.
“This isn’t true – we’ve policed protests involving tractors previously without any major issues and we have plans in place to do so again if required.”
Organisers have told those coming that they should not bring their farm machinery.
