UK Farmers Prepare For Showdown With Labour Over Inheritance Tax Changes At NFU Conference|

The traditional landscape of Westminster has transformed in recent months, with tractors and wellington-clad farmers replacing the usual sight of black cabs and suited professionals. The agricultural community’s mounting frustration is set to culminate in fresh protests this Tuesday, coinciding with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) annual conference in London.

The catalyst for this unrest stems from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ October announcement regarding inheritance tax (IHT) modifications for agricultural enterprises. The NFU’s strategic decision to relocate its conference from Birmingham to London for the first time in two decades reflects both cost-cutting measures and the intensifying political tension.

British farmers face an unprecedented confluence of challenges. Rising operational costs, severe labour shortages, and post-Brexit policy adjustments have severely impacted the sector. Recent flooding has exacerbated these difficulties, preventing crucial crop plantings across numerous regions. Defra’s latest statistics reveal a comprehensive decline in farm incomes throughout England between 2023 and early 2024.

The contentious IHT reforms, scheduled for implementation in April 2026, have been met with particular hostility. Labour’s pre-election assurances, delivered by current Environment Secretary Steve Reed, promised no alterations to agricultural property relief (APR). The government’s subsequent policy shift, targeting estates valued above £1 million with a reduced 20% IHT rate, has been branded a “betrayal” by the farming community.

Tom Walton, representing the fourth generation of his Buckinghamshire farming family, exemplifies the sector’s concerns. His attendance at the NFU conference underscores the gravity of the situation, as he reassesses his century-old family enterprise’s viability. The imminent arrival of his first child adds personal poignancy to the uncertainty surrounding generational farm succession.

The absence of the Prime Minister from this year’s conference marks a significant departure from tradition and highlights the deteriorating relationship between the agricultural sector and government. Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s anticipated announcement regarding increased British produce in public sector catering may offer little consolation to an industry fighting for its future.