Farmers will fight inheritance tax plans, warns NFU leader

NFU president Tom Bradshaw delivered a passionate and forceful speech to hundreds of farmers at Church House, Westminster, as part of the NFU’s mass lobby to protest the government’s “family-farm tax”.

The focus of Mr Bradshaw’s speech was on the impact of the government’s proposed inheritance tax (IHT) reforms, which would impose a 20% tax on agricultural property and business assets exceeding £1m from April 2026.

The NFU leader strongly criticised the Treasury’s handling of the issue, accusing it of launching the policy without consulting either Defra or the farming sector – and using bad data to justify it – which “beggars belief”.

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The NFU estimates that 75% of commercial farm businesses could be affected by the new tax, a view that clashed with the government’s claims.

Mr Bradshaw rejected the Treasury’s assurances that the policy would only affect the wealthiest 500 farms a year. “The sight of ministers thrashing about trying to justify the unjustifiable is not an edifying one,” he said.

In his speech, Mr Bradshaw also emphasised the far-reaching consequences of the reforms on British agriculture.

He pointed out the irony that the new tax would force many farmers to break up or sell their farms to pay for the inheritance tax, a process that could undermine the sustainability of family-run farms and weaken the nation’s food security.

“The irony is, this is asset wealth which will never be actual wealth unless our farms are broken up,” he said, his voice quivering with emotion.

“We all know that there are people who won’t live the next seven years and the only route through this is going to be to sell off the asset. It’s kicking the legs out from under Britain’s food security.”

Mr Bradshaw made a direct appeal to the gathered farmers, urging them to engage with MPs and share their personal stories.

He stressed the political consequences MPs would face if they supported the IHT reforms, calling on farmers to make it clear that their votes would be affected.

“Tell MPs your stories,” he urged, “from the heart, tell them what it means to you. Tell them how this impacts you, your farm, your family, your future.”

‘We won’t stop fighting’

In closing, Bradshaw sent a clear message of the industry’s determination to force the government to perform a U-turn.

“Farmers may get tired, but none of us are going to give up. We won’t stop fighting this at a national or local level,” he warned. “In every constituency, we will take the fight to MPs.”

Mr Bradshaw rallied the crowd to continue their efforts, whether in Westminster or in their own constituencies, stating that the protest was just the beginning of their fight against the changes.

The president’s speech was met with a standing ovation from the 600-strong audience.