Farmers protest inheritance tax changes in Newcastle tractor rally

Tractors from across the region approached Newcastle in convoy, bringing sections of the city centre road network to a crawl.

The rally was led by pressure group Farmers Unite as it stepped up its campaign urging the Government to rethink its controversial inheritance tax plans, which it fears will have potential long-lasting effects on family farms.

Tractor convoy approaching Newcastle for today’s farmers’ protest (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

The Chancellor’s plans to introduce a 20% rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1 million have become a political flashpoint for a sector struggling with rising costs, tough market conditions and worsening climate impacts.

It followed a similar demonstration in Morpeth, Northumberland earlier in the year.

Farmers’ in convoy heading into Newcastle city centre for today’s tractor protest (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

Campaigners believe the changes, which are due to start coming into force in April next year, will force long-standing family-run holdings to reluctantly sell land or key assets in a desperate effort to merely stay afloat.

Farmers responded to the rallying cry, with all roads leading to Newcastle from rural communities between Northumberland and North Yorkshire.

Tractor convoy approaching Newcastle city centre for today’s farmers’ protest (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

It was another show of strength by the region’s food producers, farming families and rural communities.

Farmers arriving in Newcastle for today’s protest rally (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

Organiser Kezz Stone believes earlier events nationally appeared to prompt ministers to put on hold the roll out of the plans and, at least, listen to what farming communities are saying.

But he said the message is now “very clear” and that, “this is the Government’s last chance.”

Tractor convoy converged on Newcastle city centre for today’s protest against planned changes to the inheritance tax (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

Farmers arriving for today’s tractor protest rally in Newcastle (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

Mr Stone said: “The ancient kingdom of Northumbria is awake, banging its drum and chanting ‘we’re still here’.”

He said “everyone could hear the mighty roar in unison” from the farmers, families and supporters gathered for the peaceful demonstration.

Northumberland Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, who also spoke at the earlier Morpeth rally, said the scale and determination of the movement should not be underestimated.

He said the farming community, which he dubbed, “the Northern Farmers’ Army”,  was, “not messing about”, adding that they, “won’t go quietly into the night”.

Cllr Renner-Thompson urged Government ministers to overturn, “its hated family farm tax.”

One of the tractors arriving in Newcastle for today’s farmers’ anti-inheritance tax changes protest (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

Today’s events in Newcastle add to the mounting pressure on the Government to abandon its inheritance tax reforms, with more than 100 farming organisations, retailers and food supply businesses urging Prime Minister Sir Keith Starmer to halt the changes they say will hit working farmers the hardest.

Farmers arriving in Newcastle for the tractor protest against planned changes to the inheritance tax (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

A letter sent by the group days before the upcoming Autumn Budget called the proposal “unjust and unfair”, warning it could lead to forced sales and, “significant and unexpected tax bills”.

Signatories include the NFU, major retailers such as Aldi, Asda, Lidl and Morrisons, as well as processors including Arla.

Tractor convoy approaching Newcastle for today’s farmers’ protest (Image: Raoul Dixon / NNP)

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They argue tightening agricultural and business property relief would deter investment, damage rural economies and weaken the UK’s food security.

Further demonstrations, including a large tractor protest in London ahead of the Chancellor’s  budget announcement on Wednesday, are already being planned.

Many farmers say the plan to cap agricultural and business property relief at £1 million ignores the reality of farm finances, including high land values paired with modest household incomes, often supplemented by tax credits.