Farmers protest London: Why UK farmers drove tractors to Westminster over 'inheritance tax' explained | VIDEOS

Remember how farmers from Haryana and Punjab reached the Delhi borders on their tractors during the days of the protests against the three controversial farm laws? Earlier this year, Spanish capital Madrid was also shocked by a similar protest when farmers calling for a reduction of bureaucracy linked to the EU Common Agriculture Police and loosening of the bloc's environmental rules rode hundreds of tractors into the city's heart.

Now, a similar situation has emerged in London as hundreds of protesting farmers decided to drive their tractors to the capital city to be part of a demonstration organised by the Save British Farming (SBF).

British farmers are on a warpath against the government's plan to impose a 20% inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million in a bid to stop wealthy people buying up land to avoid inheritance tax. However, farmers say small family farms will also be impacted by the move negatively.

Farmers travelled into the capital from across the country for what is called "the second Westminster rally" or “RIP British Farming” protest against the new measures announced in the latest budget in October by the ruling Labour Party. The announcement had sparked immediate anger from the farming community. 

Why are English farmers protesting?

According to The Guardian, since 1992, family farms have been relieved of tax as a measure to bolster food security and keep people on the land. The measure was to ensure people didn't give up on farming in search of more profitable means of livelihood. 

The UK now produces less than 60% of the food its inhabitants eat. Under the recent budget, the full 100% relief from inheritance tax will be restricted to the first £1m of combined agricultural and business property. Above this amount, landowners will pay inheritance tax at a reduced rate of 20%, rather than the standard 40% starting in 2026. The announcement attracted immediate reaction from the farming community, reports said.