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Harrogate district farmers head to London for protest over tax hike

Tuesday, 19 November 2024 07:08

Harrogate district farmers are heading to London for today's peaceful protest. (Images: C.L Tesseyman & Son)

Farmers across the Harrogate district are heading to London today (Tuesday) for a protest over changes to inheritance tax rules.

A large-scale protest is being held in the capital, with thousands of farmers from across the UK set to attend.

They’re urging the government to change course over its inheritance tax plans, which will see the tax imposed on farms worth more than £1million.

Farmers are contesting the government’s plans, which were revealed in chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget, after their assertion that small family farms will not be impacted.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has organised a meeting that will see 1,800 members meet with MPs at Westminster at 9am to voice their concern.

Among those heading south will be Richard Tesseyman of C.L Tesseyman & Son, which is based near Knaresborough.

He told Your Harrogate:

“The industry has been struggling for a while because of the obvious weather and low prices, and we’ve got high costs enforced upon us with more regulation, and now more taxes.

“It’s getting harder and this tax will wipe out family farms.

“It’s the first time that I can remember in which all farmers are pulling together. [The tax hike] really has galvanised everybody.”

Farmers are arguing that post-Brexit agricultural reforms and climate change are leading to increase financial pressures.

The rally aims to bring these concerns to the forefront following the recent Budget.

Richard said:

“Food security is becoming more important for the nation with the way the world is going.

“You’d have thought the Ukraine problem would’ve highlighted that but the Prime Minister seems to have forgotten that already.”

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