The recent inheritance tax changes announced in the November 2024 Budget pose an existential threat to family-run farms across the UK. Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s decision to cap agricultural relief on estates above £1 million, effective from April 2026, will force many farming families to shoulder a 20% tax burden on assets over that threshold. For most family farms, especially those with substantial land and equipment investments, this could result in the painful sale of parts of their land, disrupting generations of agricultural heritage and even threatening the UK’s food security.

Until now, family farms benefited from 100% relief on inheritance tax, allowing the next generation to inherit entire estates without prohibitive tax liabilities. But with this change, assets exceeding the £1 million limit will receive only 50% relief, which for many families represents a financial hurdle that threatens the continuity of their farms. This decision overlooks the reality that family farms, while asset-rich, are often cash-poor, with revenue reinvested into operations rather than sitting in savings. These changes could require heirs to sell valuable land or equipment just to meet tax obligations, eroding the stability and efficiency of farm operations.

The farming community is rallying in opposition. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has planned a rally on November 19, 2024, at Church House in Westminster, where farmers will gather to protest these changes. Farmers fear that this policy is not just a blow to their legacy but to the UK’s agricultural industry as a whole. NFU president Tom Bradshaw has publicly condemned the move, warning that it could destabilise food supply chains as farms are broken up, making food production less resilient and more costly.

We’re calling on the UK government to reconsider and reverse this decision, not just for the sake of farmers, but for the food security and heritage of our nation. Family farms are more than businesses; they are the backbone of rural communities, multi-generational homes, and the providers of food for millions. They deserve policies that protect, not penalise, their commitment to our land.

Join us in standing up for UK farmers. Sign this petition and send a message that our family farms—and our food supply—are worth protecting.