Farmers out in force at protest against new tax

THE Government has been accused of dealing a "hammer blow" to farmers as 13,000 people protested in Whitehall over the Budget's impact on farming.

TV presenter and journalist-turned farmer Jeremy Clarkson made the comments as he joined thousands of people in central London to protest against changes to inheritance tax for farm businesses and other measures in last month's Budget.

The rally, which was attended by an estimated 13,000 people, according to police, was held alongside a mass lobby of MPs by members of the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

Farmers have reacted with anger and dismay to the inheritance tax changes for farming businesses, which limit the existing 100% relief for farms to only the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.

But ministers have said farmers are "wrong" to think that thousands of farm businesses will be affected by the changes, insisting only around 500 of the wealthiest estates will have to pay tax under the move.