Organisers of last month’s rally invite farmers to London on 16th December
3rd December 2024
Farmers and business owners have been invited to join the organisers of November’s farmers’ rally in London later this month for an event that aims to address concerns over the impact of changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief.
A meeting is planned to take place on Monday 16th December at a major London theatre.
One of the organisers of the farmers’ rally that took place last month in London, farmer and YouTuber Olly Harrison, said: “Are you a family business affected by the BPR changes? Nearly all farms are, but other businesses, whether you’re making beer, bread, whatever or any sort of manufacturing.
“If you’ve got a generational business that’s been passed down over the last however many generations, now it’s going to attract a 20% tax bill at the death of an owner.
“We had a big rally in London on 19th November. Well, now we can have a nice warm venue in central London in a big theatre on 16th December.
“We can get some speakers to explain the real stories behind this devastating BPR Budget. Are you up for coming?”
Mr Harrison added that a small fee will apply to join the event, to cover the costs of hiring the venue.
READ MORE: Stories from the crowd: ‘Don’t argue with the countryside’
READ MORE: GALLERY: Farmers head to London en masse to protest against family farm tax
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson joins farmers’ rally and asks government to ‘back down’
Are you a family business that’s going to be affected by the BPR changes
— Olly harrison 🥛🍔🌱AccidentalYoutuber (@agricontract) December 2, 2024
Do you want your voice Heard ?
come together with un in London
on the 16th of December?
Let us know in the comments and please share this tweet #bpr #apr #family #budget RT
40% tax 🤦♂️… pic.twitter.com/JFUhLiciV8
Asset-rich but cash-poor farmers
The Autumn Budget has been widely criticised by the farming community. It included, among others, the announcement that from April 2026, agricultural property relief and business property relief will be capped at £1 million in total per owner.
According to the CLA’s analysis of model arable farms, a typical 200-acre farm owned by an individual with an expected annual profit of £27,300 would face an IHT liability of £435,000.
If spread over a period of ten years, this would require the farm to allocate 159% of its profit each year to cover the tax bill. To meet this bill, successors could be compelled to sell 20% of their land.
Similarly, a 250-acre arable farm owned between a couple in the way the chancellor expects to be possible with an expected annual profit of £34,130 would face an IHT liability of £267,000, amounting to 78% of its profit each year over a decade.
The CLA’s model highlights that family-run farms, typically asset-rich but cash-poor, would be forced at best into a cycle of stagnation, asset sales, or debt to cover this tax burden, threatening the long-term viability of the UK’s rural landscape and food security.
READ MORE: What does the Budget really mean for farming?
READ MORE: Farmers’ tractor protest set to take place in four capitals on 11th December
Read more political news.
