Litcham farmer Phil Ellis criticises Government’s inheritance tax on farms during London protest

A farmer has demanded change after attending a protest against the proposed inheritance tax set to hit agricultural workers.

Farmers from across Norfolk this week gathered to march through London, with several pieces of heavy farm machinery and thousands of supporters stopping outside the Palace of Westminster and Downing Street to voice their concerns in what was dubbed the ‘Pancake Day Protest’.

They say that many family farms now face the risk of being sold off or significantly downsized due to the increased inheritance tax - imposed by the Labour Government - when passing their business down to the next generation.

Phil Ellis, who farms outside Litcham, said: “Preserving family farms is essential for the vibrancy of our rural communities.

“We need policies that support, not hinder, the next generation of farmers. Today we stand united to demand change.

“If we really want to feed our nation, then we need farms and farmers.’’

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman, who joined farmers as they walked through Whitehall, added: “This is a poorly conceived tax that in the long run will inflict irreparable damage to our fabulous farming industry and the Norfolk rural economy.

“In a world that is so fragile, and with the Ukraine-Russia conflict, we must do everything to protect UK food security.”

He added: “This policy was never in the Government’s manifesto. It is anti-small business, anti-family business and anti the rural economy.

“This will not support the ambition for growth and will in fact stifle a key industry that we need to thrive. Farmers are the custodian of our land, if we inflict huge tax bills they will be forced to sell.

“Breaking up farms is uneconomic, and I am calling on the Government to rethink.’’

North West Norfolk MP James Wild has also criticised the Government’s plans in recent months, saying it is “depressing” to see farmers having to protest rather than being “out working the land”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously responded to Mr Wild in Parliament by saying: “The Hon Gentleman will know that in the Budget we announced £5billion for the farming budget over two years - including the largest funding directed at sustainable food production and nature recovery in this country’s history - and £60million to support farmers affected by flooding.”