Overview

• 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.