'Betrayed' farmers from South Yorkshire heading down to Westminster to protest
The National Farmers' Union are going to voice their concerns over the recent autumn budget in Parliament
Farmers from across the country - including South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire - tell us they're feeling 'angry' at the government - with hundreds heading to Westminster this morning.
Protesters from the farming industry are meeting with MP's at Parliament later - to voice their frustrations over last month's budget changes to inheritance tax & agricultural property relief.
Mark Downing will be attending the meeting in London - He has two farms in Wath-Upon-Dearne & Sprotbrough - & is also a member of the National Farmers Union'.
He's been chosen by the NFU to represent the organisation in Parliament today:
"This is crunch-time. We need numbers down in London.
"Anybody who's a farmer or who has any links to agriculture should be at this protest.
"Ask any farmer - they just want the Labour government to assess the agricultural property relief and inheritance tax situation.
"It needs re-thinking. That's the key thing we'll be hoping to get resolved at Parliament.
"Are these politicians actually going to listen to what we've got to say to them?
"I'm not 100% sure how much thought process was ever put in to the budget recently around agriculture.
"The numbers don't really add up.
"There general feeling is one of anger.
"It's a difficult industry as it is - without these changes in the budget recently.
"A lot believe it's the 'final nail' in the agricultural coffin."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the new Labour government's first budget that an inheritance tax of 50%, at an effective rate of 20%, will be imposed on farms worth over £1m, where previously they were exempt.
Transport Secretary - Louise Haigh - who's also the Labour MP for Sheffield Heeley - recently said 'shelves will not be left empty this winter' if farmers go on strike over tax changes.