'Not all farmers are hugely wealthy like a lot of the rest of us': Inheritance tax protest divides

Farmers have been angered by changes to inheritance tax rules that were unveiled at the Autumn Budget last month - and many MyLondon readers in our comments section think that they should receive more support and relief than other businesses.

A rally of around 13,000 showed up in London yesterday (Tuesday, November 19) to protest against the changes, complete with MPs, celebrities like Jeremy Clarkson and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and national media. Addressing the rally, Clarkson said: “I know a lot of people across the country in all walks of life took a bit of a kick on the shin with that Budget. You lot got a knee in the nuts and a hammer blow to the back of the head.”

Ministers say that only a small number of farms will be affected by the changes, and that those who inherit eligible farms would have 10 years, interest-free, to pay any tax due. The National Farmers' Union (NFU), representing upwards of 45,000 businesses, has condemned the change, dubbing it the "Family Farm Tax". Their petition demanding a reversal of the policy has garnered close to 250,000 signatures so far.

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Reader TheEnglishHousewife shared strong support with Tuesday's protestors: "I am behind the British Farmers. Farming is part of this country's heritage and part of our culture and I believe it is yet another attack on this very integral part of who we are.

"Not all farmers are hugely wealthy like a lot of the rest of us, sometimes all you have that is of any value is intangible. For me it's my home but for many farmers it's the value of the farm and its land and equipment. Farmers should be able to build their farm businesses and be able to leave them to their sons and daughters to carry on the invaluable business of farming. Also if many farms end up lost by families who cant afford the huge tax bill on the death of the original farmer, what will happen to that agricultural land?"

Commenter Deedee1949 writes: "Peaceful protest is legal. Farmers, their food production, their protection of wildlife, local eco-friendly and low carbon footprint, all are essential. Feeding UK folk. Why would any government target these essential resources?"

EnglishLass says: "Yes they should, and I'll be joining them on Tuesday to protest outside the houses of Parliament. No Farmers, No Food!"

Some people have little sympathy for farmers and landowners, however. TheBoyzLondon writes: "Well why shouldn't they pay inheritance tax? Everyone else has to when they get over £325,000. What makes them so special? Pay your dues like everyone else. Age old story, poor hard-done-by farmers who have millions in subsidies and million pound houses."

On our Facebook page, Trevor Pritchard says: "Complaining about having to pay taxes like the rest of us! Let's see if they are treated the same as others who block roads!" Paul Govett-Baker agrees: "Rich land owners asking for the middle and working classes to pay instead of them."

Have your say! Why should farming be treated differently to any other given industry? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.