Over 3,000 farmers light beacons in new year protest against IHT 

Over 3,000 farmers lit beacons up and down the countryside, as part of a New Year’s Eve protest against changes to inheritance tax (IHT) reliefs.

Martin Williams and Olly Harrison, who organised the original London protest against the changes, were among those to light a beacon on their farms. 

Fires were lit from 7-8pm and burned till midnight, with many farmers taking to social media to share videos.

Participants signed up to the protest via a map on www.countrysideonfire.co.uk, which shows over 3,000 farms planned to light a beacon. 

A beacon of hope

Sharing a video of his beacon, Martin Williams said on X: ‘The Fownhope Beacon of Hope!! Crackling away, hopefully across the country over 3,000 others will be the reminder required.’

Tagging in chancellor Rachel Reeves and the prime minister, he added: ‘We need to talk. Our place or yours?’

Andrew Ward, another of the London protest organisers, said on X: ‘The government are playing with fire by ignoring the fallout of their horrendous budget with APR and BPR proposals.

‘Ignore us at your peril @UKLabour, I suggest it’s in all our interests to meet, we are giving you ample opportunity.’

READ MORE: Farmers deliver their produce to Chancellor Rachel Reeves

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READ MORE: Children write letters to Sir Keir Starmer as well as Santa this Christmas 

Ongoing protests

It’s the latest in a series of protests against IHT, after the government announced in the October 2024 Budget that agricultural property relief (APR) would be reduced to 50% for farms with a value over £1 million, from April 2026.

Two protests have been held in London, as well as a number of tractor rallies and go-slow protests around the country – as well as a summit in London.

Going into 2025, farmers have been invited to take part in a national day of unity on 25th January.

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