Farmers’ protest live: Police probe into tractor ram video as Clarkson warns inheritance tax a ‘hammer blow’
Farmers from across the country have travelled to London this morning to join protests over changes to inheritance tax rules
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Your support makes all the difference.The Metropolitan Police have said tractor drivers who ploughed through barriers at the farmers’ protest in Westminster will be reported.
Scotland Yard said that they had been engaging with those driving the vehicles but said that driving through a no entry sign was “not acceptable”.
Taking to the stage, Jeremy Clarkson urged Rachel Reeves to admit her proposed inheritance tax hikes for farmers was a “mistake”, as he described it as a “hammer blow” to the agricultural community.
Speaking to protesters on stage in Whitehall, the TV presenter said: “For the sake of everybody here, and all the farmers stuck at home today paralysed by a fog of despair by what’s been foisted upon them, I beg the government to accept this was rushed through, wasn’t thought out, and was a mistake.”
First unveiled in chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget, the plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1m have sparked fury among rural communities, who have contested the government’s assertion that small family farms will not be impacted by the changes.
National Farmers’ Union president Tom Bradshaw said an estimated 75 per cent of commercial farm businesses “were caught in the eye of this storm” of a policy which will “rip the heart of family farms”.
Jeremy Clarkson urges government to admit ‘mistake’ and back down
Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has taken to the stage in Westminster, urging the Labour government to admit that their policy change “was a mistake”.
He said: “For the sake of everybody here, and all the farmers stuck at home today paralysed by a fog of despair by what’s been foisted upon them, I beg the government to accept this was rushed through, wasn’t thought out, and was a mistake.
“That’s the big thing to do - admit it, and back down.”
The TV star bought a farm as part of his Amazon TV show Clarkson’s Farm, and told the crowd that running a farm “costs a fortune” due to the price of equipment and upkeep.
He stressed there’s “very little money” in farming and was met with boos from the crowd when he referenced the budget.
Downing Street says Treasury has had engagement with the NFU
In response to calls for Rachel Reeves to meet farmers, Downing Street insisted the Treasury had been in contact with them about the inheritance tax changes.
A No 10 spokeswoman said: “As I understand, the Treasury has had engagement with the NFU. Meetings are otherwise for the Chancellor and her team to set out.
“For the PM’s part, he met with the NFU, I think, in Downing Street in his early weeks in office and regularly engages with all sectors.”
Environment Secretary Steve Reed met the NFU’s president on Monday night and will address the Country Land and Business Association on Thursday, the spokeswoman added.
Kemi Badenoch says she will reverse ‘obviously cruel’ tax
Kemi Badenoch has taken to the stage at the farmer tax protest in Westminster, saying that they are “carrying the burden for the whole country”.
“We know how this tax will destroy your way of life,” says the Tory leader, as she pledged to reverse it if her party get back into power.
“This policy is so obviously unfair, so obviously cruel, and we will do everything we can - if they do not U-turn now - to reverse this tax.”
Politicians pictured joining protest in Whitehall
Tenant farmer says ‘every single farmer’ affected by Budget
A tenant farmer who joined the protest in central London said “every single farmer” in his area will be affected by changes in the Budget.
Daniel Spours, a tenant farmer from north Northumberland, travelled to Whitehall to protest against changes to inheritance tax and carbon rules which he said will affect the price of fertiliser.
Mr Spours said: “We are about £60,000 worse off next year from payments that have been slashed by the Government.
“Going forward, there is more taxes to come on fertiliser that’s going to affect us hugely as well, so it’s looking pretty grim.”
Rachel Reeves confirmed Government plans to introduce the UK Carbon Border Adjustment from 1 January 2027, which Mr Spours said will impact the price of fertiliser.
“I’m not a farm owner,” Mr Spours. “I’m just a tenant, but we still will be impacted by business property relief.”
Born to Farm: Dozens of budding farmers take their tiny tractors for a spin around Parliament Square
Somerset farmer brings young daughter to protest
“If Labour wins on this, it’ll be the end of eight generations of farming in my family,” says dairy farmer Victoria Diamond.
The Somerset farmer says she and her husband won’t be able to afford an expected £200k inheritance levy on the family farm.
She’s come to the protest with her daughter Ivy Lee, aged just 22 months old.
“We want to keep the farm going in the family, we are farmers, but this measure will end it all, how could we afford £200k when we are already in the red,” she says.
Nigel Farage reportedly blocked from giving speech
Nigel Farage has reportedly been blocked from speaking at the farming protest by the organisers over concerns that he “might make it all about himself”.
The Reform UK leader arrived at the organised event wearing a waxed jacket, wellington boots, a mustard trousers.
While other politicians from other parties, such as Dame Priti Patel, have been invited to take to the stage, Farage’s offer has reportedly been rejected.
A source told The Times: “He has been trying to be allowed to speak but we are getting told by lots of people not to let him because he might try to make it all about himself.”
Queues form to lobby MPs as streets line up with farmers and tourists
Road closures can be seen around outside Westminster Hall as several tractors pass with banners displayed attacking Labour, Alex Ross reports.
A double decker red bus also circles the area flying Reform UK flags - despite protest organisers urging people to keep the protest non political.
So far, streets are lined with a mix of photographers, farmers and bemused tourists.
Portcullis House, opposite Westminster Hall, is one of the locations NFU members are lobbying MPs.
Here’s the queue outside to get through security. One farmer jokes “they must be scared of us”.
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