Farmers march on Parliament in Pancake Day protest against inheritance tax

Farmers returned to central London on Tuesday to protest over inheritance tax changes with a Pancake Day rally.

The protesters, accompanied by a few tractors and harvesters, met at around midday to march from Whitehall towards Parliament.

They had been warned by the Metropolitan Police not to take farm machinery above a limited pre-agreed number under the Public Order Act, after last month’s demonstration caused traffic delays.

But one senior politician questioned the restrictions, suggesting farmers may have been treated differently from other recent protests.

Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins told the PA news agency: “When we think of other demonstrations across London that happen on a weekly basis, I wonder whether quite the same restrictions are put in place for them.”

According to police at the scene, the seven machines present at the start of the protest in Whitehall were those pre-agreed under the conditions of the Public Order Act.

Scotland Yard warned that anyone breaching the conditions imposed or inciting others to do so would be committing a criminal offence and could face arrest.

Organisers had promised beforehand that the rally would be “bigger and better” than the previous two demonstrations.

Asked about the public order conditions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch told PA: “I think we have a peaceful protest here.

“The farmers are more interested in ensuring that people understand what they are going through.”

Labour is pressing ahead with a 20% inheritance tax rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1 million, which is set to come into force from April 2026.

The measure was introduced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget, prompting a backlash from farmers who have argued it will force land sales, stall investment, and hurt families hoping to pass their farms on to the next generation.

The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have urged Labour to scrap the changes, which Ms Badenoch last week labelled “immoral”.

The Government defended the move as a “fair and balanced approach” but opposition from within the Labour Party is growing, after a third MP publicly came out against the tax raid on Monday.

Published: 04/03/2025 by Radio NewsHub