Farmers' chief hints at more extreme tax protest action

Thousands descend on London over inheritance changes

- MILLIE COOKE

Leading farmers have hinted that more extreme action could be taken if the government does not backtrack on its plan to reduce inheritance tax relief on agricultural properties, as 13,000 descended on Westminster in protest at the move.

Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, said the mood in the agricultural community was for a tougher approach with ministers and for more disruptive demonstrations – and said he expects further localised action if the Budget measure goes ahead.

“The ball is in the government’s court. They have to be the ones that now decide how they react to this,” he said as farming leaders met around 150 MPs in Whitehall following the protest to warn the policy will cause food shortages and the breakup of family farms.

But ministers have doubled down on the plan, with environment secretary Steve Reed yesterday rejecting claims that many will be affected and saying many protesters are wrong about its implications.

TV personality and landowner Jeremy Clarkson addressed demonstrators, calling the policy a “hammer blow to the back of the head” for agriculture.

It came as:

• Police said protesters who forced farm vehicles through “no entry” barriers would be reported

• Kemi Badenoch told demonstrators she would reverse the policy, calling it “cruel and wrong”

• Sir Keir Starmer denied Labour is waging a class war with its Budget measures