Northumberland farmers rally as council votes on ‘family farm tax’

Hundreds of farmers from across Northumberland are set to converge on County Hall in Morpeth today (15 January), as the county council prepares to vote on whether to join the growing rebellion against the Labour government’s controversial inheritance tax changes for farms.

The Northumberland “Save The Farmers. Save Our Food. Save Your Future” rally, mirrors similar events across the UK.

It will feature a tractor convoy through Morpeth, followed by speeches from key agricultural figures, highlighting the widespread concern over the government’s proposals.

The motion, proposed by Conservative councillor Mark Mather for Wooler, condemns the changes announced in the Autumn Budget, which will remove agricultural property relief on family-owned farms starting in April 2026.

See also: Suffolk County Council opposes ‘family farm tax’

Critics, including the NFU, have dubbed the changes the “family farm tax”, warning it could make it harder for the next generation of farmers to inherit and continue running family businesses.

“We have a large number of family-owned and tenanted farms in Northumberland, and these changes will have devastating consequences,” said Mr Mather.

“Farmers may be forced to sell their land, jeopardising food security and the future of rural communities.”

The motion also highlights the financial strain on tenant farmers, many of whom are already dealing with recent cuts to agricultural payments.

Local farmers are increasingly concerned that the government’s claim that only 27% of farms will be affected by the changes is inaccurate.

The NFU claims up to 75% of farms could be impacted by the new tax threshold, which will see a 20% levy added to agricultural assets worth more than £1m.

Northumberland farmer Pip Robson © Glendale PR

Ben Leyland, a 30-year-old farmer from Greymare Farm near Belford, expressed his concern.

He said: “I can’t sleep at night. I already work all hours, where am I supposed to find this money?

“What will happen to me and the farm my family worked so hard to build?”

Dan Spours, a North Northumberland farmer, added: “The tax doesn’t directly affect me, but I’ve had to lose staff due to tax rises and payment cuts.

“Now I’m having to sell stock because I don’t have the manpower to care for them.”

As the council prepares to vote, Northumberland is poised to join a growing list of English councils, including Suffolk, Devon, Harborough, North Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, that have voted to oppose the tax.