A 16-year-old farmer from Cambridgeshire made an eight-hour journey by tractor to London to join a large-scale protest against Labour’s proposed inheritance tax reforms.
Tom Lucas, who skipped college for the day, drove his 1970 Massey Ferguson tractor at just 16 miles per hour to reach Whitehall, where hundreds of farmers gathered in opposition to the policy. The controversial plan would impose a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million, a move that has sparked widespread concern among farmers and the broader food industry.
Fears of Losing Family Farms
For Lucas, whose 130-acre arable farm has been in his family for a century, the thought of being forced to sell off land is devastating.
“If I want to take over our little family farm, then I’ll have to find quite a lot of money. What I would pay towards the inheritance tax is less than I’d turn over in a year. It would take us five years to pay that off, and you should be taking a wage out of it yourself.”
“I don’t know any farmers who take a wage themselves. They’re all just working for the love of it.”
A Threat to Family Businesses
The protest, organised by Save British Farming, brought together farmers from across the UK, many of whom fear that the proposed tax will cripple their businesses.
Dairy farmer Richard Shepherd from Cheshire, who attended with his parents and wife, faces a potential £1 million tax bill if the reforms go through.
“The problem is that we’ll have to sell land to help pay that, and all of a sudden, we start losing the capital we need to produce milk and keep the farm running.”
His father, Ivan Shepherd, added that farmers “don’t take time off,” sharing that he had already worked several hours on the farm before heading to London for the demonstration.
A “Heritage Tax” on Generations-Old Farms
The movement has gained momentum in recent months, with supermarkets and the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) calling for a reversal of the policy. Many farmers argue that the tax unfairly targets family-run farms, which often operate on tight margins.
Veteran farmer James Hardstaff from Nottinghamshire, whose farm has been in his family for over 300 years, called the policy a “heritage tax” that could force farms to sell land and reduce food production.
“It would have big implications on our family. It’s going to be rough.”
Hardstaff, who continues to work past retirement age, said rising costs have already put immense pressure on farmers, and the proposed tax could push many out of business.
Labour Stands Firm Amid Growing Opposition
Despite mounting pressure from the farming sector, Labour has refused to reverse its position on the 20% inheritance tax. The policy has drawn criticism from farmers, rural communities, and major food retailers, who fear it could undermine British agriculture.
As the government faces growing resistance, the protests highlight an increasing divide between policymakers and the agricultural sector, with many warning that centuries-old farms could be lost if the reforms go ahead.
