WELLINGTON residents stood up for farmers as part of a national protest against ‘tractor tax’ which was announced in the government’s Autumn Budget last month.

The protest was held in London on Tuesday, November 19, and was promoted by the hashtag #nofarmersnofood on social media to indicate solidarity with the national farming community.

According to the Metropolitan Police, around 20,000 people had gathered in central London by 11am, all calling for an end to the significant tax and financial changes they face.

Other rallies were held around the country, and for those unable to attend, wellies were worn or displayed in shop windows throughout the day to show local support for the cause.

Isla Martin aged 5 showing support for British farmers and her farmer Grandad Daniel Pile, wearing her wellies to St Andrews Church School, Taunton.
Isla Martin aged 5 showing support for British farmers and her farmer Grandad Daniel Pile, wearing her wellies to St Andrews Church School, Taunton. (Photo: Katie Pile)
Farmers protest tractor pic 2024
One of many tractors that farmers drove into the city as part of the protest (Michelle Monaghan/Tindle)
Rosie and William Hamlett have gone to school supporting family farms. We are Firebeacon Farm based between Tiverton and Wellington, a beef and sheep farm suppling local grass fed beef and lamb to local people.
Rosie and William Hamlett from Firebeacon farm have gone to school supporting family farms. Based between Tiverton and Wellington, Firebeacon Farm is a beef and sheep farm suppling local grass fed beef and lamb to local people. (Photo: Amy Hamlett)

Ashbrittle farmer John Ker travelled to London with several farmers from the area to “show support and solidarity for agriculture in general” he says.

“Of course, the inheritance tax is a big part of it. It’s a poorly targeted policy. But it’s not just about that, there’s been lots building up to this,” he said.

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, met farmers from his constituency in London on Tuesday as they joined protests over the government’s inheritance tax plans, calling for action to protect family farms from having to be sold off.

Under changes announced in the Budget, farmers and agricultural landowners – previously exempt from paying inheritance tax – will, from April 2026, be subject to a 20 per cent levy on assets above £1 million.

Mr Amos said: “It’s completely unjust to hit smaller farms with a massive tax hike so soon after farmers have been let down by government underspending the agriculture budget over the past three years by a staggering £358million.

“Most family farms are not super rich businesses. They’re not billionaires buying up land just to avoid paying tax, something which should certainly be tackled. Some might have a big asset value but are often cash-poor and will be unable to raise the money needed to pay the new tax without breaking up and selling off parts of their farms.

“Government may say only 28 per cent of farms will be affected, but there are serious concerns about how those figures were reached. The National Farmers’ Union says it’s more like two thirds of farms which will be hit with this higher tax.

“We need the more sustainable food production that many farms have moved towards. The government loading costs onto small farms will put all that at risk.” 

Andrew Sincock, managing director of Agriton Group, a green farming business based in Westleigh, says farmers need to tread carefully in delivering their message.

He said: “Farmers have been moaning that the UK public doesn’t support agriculture for a long time and while I feel the protests are entirely valid, I do question the decision behind it all and I don’t think it will endear farmers to the general public.

“I do think the government has used a broad brush, but I think farmers, who are privileged in their position, need to be careful with their message.”