UK Supermarkets Join Farmers in Opposition to Inheritance Tax Overhaul

Major supermarket chains back farmers' calls to pause new inheritance tax policy, citing threats to food security and agricultural investment.

Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and other major supermarkets have publicly supported farmers' protests against the government's planned inheritance tax changes.
The proposed policy would impose a 20% inheritance tax on agricultural and business assets worth over £1 million starting in April 2026, removing previous exemptions for farms.
Farmers argue that the tax will force many to sell or break up family farms, with estimates suggesting up to 75% of farms could be affected, significantly higher than government projections.
The Office for Budget Responsibility warns the policy's revenue impact is uncertain and may discourage investment in agriculture, further threatening food security and sustainability.
The National Farmers' Union and other groups are urging the government to pause implementation and conduct a full consultation to assess long-term economic and social impacts.