This Government has woken a sleeping giant 

Staging another furious protest in London, farmers warn inheritance tax could affect their mental health as well as ability to produce food.

More than 1,400 tractors rolled in to Whitehall on 10 February for another mass rally against the Government’s anti-farming policies, citing the toll the proposed farm inheritance tax could take on farmers’ mental health. 

It is the third time since the autumn Budget that farmers have descended on London to protest against the Labour Government. The event, which was organised by Save British Farming (SBF) , was timed to coincide with a parliamentary debate taking place in response to an online petition that urged the Government to scrap the “family farm tax”. 

The e-petition received more than 150,000 signatures, triggering the debate to keep the current inheritance tax (IHT) exemptions for working farms — many of which also support shooting. The backing follows genuine concern from landowners that the proposed changes, due to come into force in April 2026, will stifle business, create poverty and could create a “humanitarian crisis”. 

SBF founder Liz Webster warned the changes could lead to the risk of farmer suicides — in a community that already has a high suicide rate. Research from the Farm Safety Foundation has found up to 94% of British farmers under 40 say mental health is one of the greatest issues they face on a daily basis. 

Ms Webster commented: “While the Government tries to ignore us, the British people are swinging behind us. This is a marathon not a sprint. But I promise we will keep going until we win.” 

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) — which has organised previous protests — said it supported any of its members taking part in the protest. NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “The strength of feeling around the proposed family farm tax is still incredibly high… The message is getting louder. The message is getting clearer. 

“Let us use our voices, let us stand loud and proud and make sure those politicians hear every word that comes from here today. The Government has woken a sleeping giant and we have to keep the pressure up.” 

Although Labour has insisted that it will not make a U-turn, a Government spokesman said: “We remain committed to working with the NFU and listening to farmers.” Several backbench MPs raised the concerns of local constituents during the three-hour debate.