Suffolk farmers stage A14 tractor protest over IHT plans

A convoy of more than 100 tractors took to the A14 in Suffolk on Monday 3 February for a go-slow protest against the government’s controversial reforms to farm inheritance tax (IHT).

The demonstration, organised by local farmers and the East Anglian Farmers United group, began at 10am at Levington, near Ipswich, and ran to Bury St Edmunds before heading back towards Felixstowe.

Drone footage showed tractors stretching as far as the eye could see, but the organisers said they did not want to cause any disruption to the public.

See also: Farmers to urge Starmer to ‘change his tune’ on IHT plans

Farmers continue to express serious concerns over the Labour government’s plan to apply a 20% inheritance tax to agricultural assets exceeding £1m, starting in April 2026.

The proposed changes, announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves in her Autumn Budget, have sparked fears that family farms could be pushed into financial hardship or even forced to sell land to meet the tax obligations.

Katherine Cross, 26, a farmer from Suffolk, spoke about the personal impact of the proposed changes.

“I risk losing part of my family farm, as it may not survive the tax burden when passed down,” she said.

Suffolk farmer Sam Steward, who took part in the convoy, highlighted the broader challenges facing the farming industry.

“We’re being hammered by years of new regulations, and the changes to inheritance tax are the final straw for many family farms,” he told the BBC.

“We just want to keep our farms in the family for future generations.”

Suffolk Police said it worked with partners and farmers to manage the traffic disruption.

The protest was the second of its kind in the region, following a similar rally in December last year.

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London event 

Farmers will continue their fight against the IHT changes with a larger demonstration scheduled for Monday 10 February in Whitehall, London.

Organised by the Save British Farming group, the event will urge prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to “change his tune” on the planned farm IHT reforms.

It will coincide with a parliamentary debate triggered by a “family farm tax” petition, which has gathered almost 150,000 signatures.

A UK government spokesman said previously: “Our reform to agricultural and business property relief will reduce the inheritance tax rate to 20%, instead of 40%, with payments spread over 10 years, interest-free.

“This approach is fair, addressing public service needs and impacting around 500 estates annually.”