Farmers light ‘beacons of hope’ to protest IHT plans

Farmers across the UK have united in a powerful protest against Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed inheritance tax (IHT) changes, lighting beacons on New Year’s Eve to demonstrate their defiance.

The “Beacons of Hope” protest sent a clear message to the Labour government that farming families are determined to fight for their future and that of the next generation.

The proposed tax, set to be introduced in April 2026, could force many family farms to sell off land or assets to cover IHT bills, threatening the long-term viability of the industry.

See also: Farmers Weekly Podcast Ep 231: London ‘farm tax’ protest special

This would place enormous strain on farming families, many of whom rely on passing down their land and businesses through generations.

Organised by the same group of farmers who led the London Farming Rally in November, the beacons illuminated hilltops and fields as a visible symbol of opposition to the controversial policy.

While nearly 4,000 farmers signed up to participate, the exact number of beacons lit remains unclear.

Nearly 4,000 farmers signed up to participate, although the exact number of beacons lit remains unclear © Olly Harrison

Olly Harrison, a Merseyside farmer and key organiser of the protest, said: “The fire symbolises the heat and the anger still raging in the countryside over this policy and the devastation it will cause if it is not amended.

“It was a simple thing anyone could do. The huge numbers show it’s not just 500 farms a year that this policy affects. This tax will destroy the future of family farming.”

The beacons, visible across rural landscapes, served as a poignant reminder of the resilience of British farmers.

Martin Williams, a Herefordshire farmer and protest co-ordinator, lit a beacon on his farm to show solidarity with fellow farmers.

© Martin Williams

He said: “I felt it was important to see the farming community come together in a show of solidarity to send a message to the government that we are not going away and we will fight this policy.”

Food security concerns

Dairy farmer Charlotte Ashley, from Eden Valley, Cumbria, also took part in the protest.

“In lighting the beacons of hope, we stand together again against the recent Budget, not bothering the public or inconveniencing anyone, yet making our voices heard,” she said.

See drone footage of the beacons lit at Charlotte’s farm in the video below.

At Manor Farm in Wotton, Surrey, farmer Paula Matthews lit a bonfire as a show of support for the cause.

“People are not realising that the changes to inheritance tax will affect many rural businesses, not just farmers – everything from auction rooms to hauliers, to the food supply chain,” she said.

“If family farms collapse, who will provide our food? Do we want high-quality British produce or more imports that don’t meet our standards and are produced with methods illegal here?”