Changes to inheritance tax relief are set to hit farmers where it hurts the most. Starting April 2026, a 20% levy will apply to assets exceeding £1 million, creating a fresh wave of concerns for an already beleaguered farming sector.
But it doesn’t stop there. Farmers are already grappling with a cocktail of challenges: climate change wreaking havoc on crop yields, post-Brexit trade deals tightening margins, and subsidy cuts leading to steadily falling incomes. Add to that soaring inflation, and it’s no wonder the agricultural industry is being pushed closer to the edge.
Struggling to Keep the Fields Green
The phasing out of direct farming subsidies is leaving farmers with fewer safety nets. Combine that with unpredictable weather patterns hammering production and fierce market competition driving farms out of business, and the outlook becomes increasingly bleak.
Taking it to the Streets
The frustration has boiled over, with a protest today highlighting the urgent need for reform. Farmers gathered to demand that policymakers reconsider the new tax levy and address the broader challenges threatening their livelihoods. Whether these voices will translate into action remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the UK farming sector is in crisis, and time is running out.