As many as 300 tractors will storm Whitehall in protest (Image: Getty)
Hundreds of farmers are descending on Westminster in their tractors today in fury at Labour's inheritance tax raid.
As many as 300 tractors will storm central London for the "RIP British Farming" protest organised by Kent Fairness for Farmers and Save British Farming.
It comes as Labour continues to face heavy backlash for it's new inheritance tax rules for farms in the Budget. Farms will only get relief on the first ￡1million of agricultural and business property.
The tractors will line up on Whitehall from 10am, there will be speeches at noon and a slow drive around central London from about 12.45pm.
For all the latest updates, follow our live blog below:
Tractors descend on Westminster for 'RIP British Farming' protest
8 hours ago10:36 Rebecca Robinson
Liz Truss slams 'failing British state' as she shows support for farmers
Liz Truss has hit out at the "failing British state" as she extends her support to the farmers protesting in London today.
She also smalled the "destructive policies" of the Labour government following the announcement of their inheritance tax raid.
The former PM wrote on X: "Growing number of tractors on London roads. People, farmers and businesses are fed up with the failing British state and its destructive policies. #IStandWithFarmers."
Growing number of tractors on London roads. People, farmers and businesses are fed up with the failing British state and its destructive policies. #IStandWithFarmers \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 pic.twitter.com/Qc2BasRA4W
\u2014 Liz Truss (@trussliz) December 11, 2024
8 hours ago10:29 Katie Harris
Protest hotting up in Westminster as farmers descend from across the country
There’s already lots of activity in the heart of Westminster as farmers turn out from across the country.
The sound of beeping horns is ringing out around Parliament as convoys of tractors make their way to Whitehall.
Tractors are flying Union flags with signs reading "no farmers no food" and "to feed or not to feed?"
9 hours ago10:23 Rebecca Robinson
First tractors arrive in Westminster
The first tractors have arrived in Westminster, honking and getting cheers from pedestrians near Parliament Square in Central London.
Many of them flying the Union flag or signs that read "No farmers, no food", "Not hungry, thank a farmer", and "Save British Farming".
Other signs say "Starmer Farmer Harmer", and a second one "Reeves and Starmer, grave robbers".
There is a police presence in the area to cover the protest which is set to draw thousands of demonstrators.
Tractors are driven through Westminster. (Image: PA)
Tractors are driven through Westminster. (Image: PA)
9 hours ago10:07 Rebecca Robinson
Farmers descend on Westminster to protest inheritance tax raid
Farmers have been spotted driving their tractors into Westminster, London as they protest Labour's inhertiance tax rules for farms.
London farmers are driving their tractors on Westminster against changes to inheritance tax#LondonToday #LondonNews #London #UKFarmers #inheritancetax #Westminster pic.twitter.com/5MjIgvvp0g
\u2014 Eren G\u00fcn\u00fc\u00e7 (@erengun3) December 11, 2024
9 hours ago09:45 Rebecca Robinson
Tractors arrive in London on huge transporter lorry
A transporter carrying tractors drive has been pictured unloading on Millbank in Westminster, London.
In less than 15 minutes, they are due to swarm Whitehall before travelling around Westminster this afternoon.
The protest is over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the recent budget with introduce new taxes on farms worth more than ￡1 million.
A transporter carrying tractors on Millbank in Westminster, London. (Image: PA)
A transporter carrying tractors drive is unloaded on Millbank in Westminster, London. (Image: PA)
9 hours ago09:30 Katie Harris
What does the Government say?
The Environment Department (Defra) said it had put ￡343 million into the rural economy last week, in payments for nature-friendly farming activities, benefiting more than 31,000 farmers.
Defra also announced new details of its environmental land management schemes, which pay farmers for "public goods" ranging from healthy soil, rivers and hedgerows, to habitat creation and large-scale nature restoration work.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed insisted "our commitment to farmers is steadfast", as he said the cash was part of a ￡5 billion two-year farming budget which was "the largest ever directed at sustainable food production in our country's history".
His comments echoed those of Downing Street ahead of the protest.
Asked if Sir Keir was concerned farmers could get more militant and restrict food supplies, a spokesman for the PM said: "We have been very clear we are not going to change course on this policy.
"It was necessary to take tough decisions at the Budget and the spending review and those decisions remain.
"But our commitment to farmers is steadfast and our message to farmers is clear, that is why we provided ￡5 billion to the farming budget over two years including more money than ever for sustainable food production."
10 hours ago09:16 Katie Harris
Protest organiser hits out at 'anti-farming Stalinist offensive'
Speaking ahead of the protest, Save British Farming founder Liz Webster said: "This anti-farming Stalinist offensive from the Labour Government presents a real danger to us all - we rely on food to survive.
"Losing the ability to feed ourselves means a total loss of control, we learnt hard lessons in the last two world wars about the fact that food security is national security.
"Keir Starmer must listen to farmers and step back from the brink and do what is right and best for our great country."
Jeff Gibson, founder of Kent Fairness For Farmers, added: "In most cases we are happy and immensely proud to provide food without any real financial gain, in the hope we can pass our farms, which we've worked so hard to protect and care for, to the next generation.
"The questions I ask you today are what future does farming have? Can we really expect the next generation to start their farming careers paying 10 years of tax burden because we died?
"My message to this Government is I am happy to pay any tax to contribute to society like everyone else, but I can't do that now with both arms tied behind my back."
10 hours ago09:01 Katie Harris
When does the protest kick off?
Hundreds of farmers are expected to travel to London in tractors from across the country, including from Exmoor, Shropshire, Somerset and the home counties.
The vehicles will line up on Whitehall from 10am before speeches at noon as Sir Keir Starmer takes part in Prime Minister's Questions.
There will then be a slow drive around central London from around 12:45pm.
10 hours ago08:44 Katie Harris
Why are farmers protesting?
The "RIP British Farming" protest has been organised by Kent Fairness for Farmers and Save British Farming in response to changes to inheritance tax changes unveiled at the Budget.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the 100% relief for farming businesses would be limited to the first ￡1 million of combined agricultural and business property.
Last month an estimated 13,000 people gathered in Westminster in a rally against the policy, with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, TV personality Jeremy Clarkson and leading politicians Kemi Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey and Nigel Farage among them.
The Government has insisted only 500 estates a year will be affected by the changes.
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703 Comments
True cost of Rachel Reeves' farmer tax laid bare - and exact number of businesses impacted
5 Comments
Hill farmers' livelihoods are at risk from Government delays for support schemes
51 Comments
Keir Starmer issued dire food shortage warning as anger rises among UK's farmers
54 Comments
'This is war!' Keir Starmer sent major warning from farmers ahead of huge London protest
1093 Comments
Tax raid on farmers could impact five times more businesses than government claims
7 Comments
More than 300 tractors to descend on Westminster to protest against 'stalinist' Government
10 Comments
Britons face food shortages! Desperate farmers will go militant if Starmer ignores demands
1036 Comments
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239 Comments
Rachel Reeves's tax-raiding budget is 'single greatest threat to food security'
24 Comments
We must stand shoulder to shoulder with our farmers - they need us now
92 Comments
Labour MPs, it's not too late to do the right thing and stand up for farmers
64 Comments
Dozens of rural Labour MPs betray local farmers with vote in favour of the tractor tax
431 Comments
Without farmers, the UK will go hungry - we cannot allow them to fail, says Tim Farron
34 Comments
Inheritance tax update as Labour responds to 130,000-strong petition
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64 Comments
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26 Comments
10 hours ago08:41 Rebecca Robinson
Welcome to our farmer protest live blog
Good morning and welcome to our live blog on the farmers protesting in London today.
The Express will be covering the event live from the scene in Whitehall.
Get in touch at rebecca.robinson@reachplc.com
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