Farmers across the UK are expressing deep concern over the recent decision by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to remove the inheritance tax exemption on farms, a change announced in the budget on October 30, 2024.

CLA President Victoria Vyvyan criticized the government's approach, arguing that it conflates business assets with personal wealth in its taxation policies.

Due to the high land and property values, many farms exceed the £1 million threshold, which makes the inheritance tax particularly burdensome despite their ongoing cash flow struggles.

Robbie Moore, the Shadow Farming Minister, criticized the government for underestimating the tax's implications, warning that it creates uncertainty in land management and investment in food production.

The farming community's reaction has been one of anger, with celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson stating that farmers feel 'shafted' by this new tax policy.

In response to these tax changes, farmers are organizing protests to voice their serious concerns about the potential impact on their livelihoods and the broader agricultural sector.

Chancellor Reeves defended the tax changes as 'fair and proportionate', emphasizing the need to raise funds and addressing the issue of wealthy landowners who had previously avoided inheritance tax.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) estimates that the new £1 million threshold will affect over a third of the 209,000 farms in the UK.

Starting in April 2026, only the first £1 million of agricultural property value will be exempt from inheritance tax, with any amount above this threshold subjected to a 20 percent tax.

Moore further described the tax changes as 'catastrophic for family farms', warning that they could threaten food security and lead to increased food prices.