"We're not avoiding tax": Shropshire farmer on inheritance tax protest
Farmers from across the country are heading to Westminster for another protest on inheritance tax.
Farmers from across the country, including Shropshire, will head to Westminster today (11 Dec) for a fresh protest over the inheritance tax announcements made in the Autumn Budget.
Farmers have reacted with anger and dismay to the inheritance tax changes for farming businesses, which limit the existing 100% relief for farms to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.
Hundreds of farmers are expected to bring their machines to the streets around Parliament as Sir Keir faces Prime Minister's Questions.
**_"We would be forced to sell part of the farm"_**
Graham Price runs a farm in Shropshire. He is also the county chairman for the National Farmers Union in Shropshire.
He explained why farmers are unhappy: "Farmers are not looking to avoid paying tax. They are happy to pay tax on profits, not on the future of their family farms."
"Our aims are to get inheritance tax amended or overturned. That means we can carry on feeding the nation, looking after the environment, alongside all the other public goods that we currently provide."
"Like many farms, we still have three generations involved in our family farm. Even if we could pay the tax bill over 10 years, the yearly repayment would be more than our profit. We would be forced to sell part of the farm or cease food production," he said.
**_"It was necessary to take tough decisions at the Budget"_**
Asked if Sir Keir was concerned farmers could get more militant and restrict food supplies, a government spokesman 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," the spokesperson said.
Last month an estimated 13,000 people gathered in Westminster to protest against the Budget's impact on farming, with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, TV personality Jeremy Clarkson, and leading politicians, Kemi Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey, and Nigel Farage among them.
Today, the vehicles will line up on Whitehall from 10am, there will be speeches at noon, and a slow drive around central London from about 12.45pm.