Northumberland councillors join farming protest in London

Cllr Mark Mather represents the Wooler division, one of Northumberland's most rural, and Cllr Catherine Seymour represents Berwick North.

They joined an estimated 20,000 farmers who gathered in Whitehall, London on Tuesday, November 19 in protest against changes to inheritance tax rules on agricultural property.

Councillors at the protest (Image: Jack Gebhard) The protest in London follows continuous action by farmers since the budget, including a protest at the Hexham Mart earlier this month.

Agricultural assets were previously exempt from inheritance tax through the Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, which will now end for farming estates worth over £1 million.

The protest was against measures announced in last month’s Autumn Budget (Image: Jack Gebhard) Despite the inheritance not being passed on as cash, recipients will now have to pay tax at 20 per cent of the value of the assets.

In protest at the changes, the National Farmers Union organised a mass rally at Church House in central London, while tens of thousands of farmers and supporters met on Whitehall. Tom Bradshaw, NFU president, called the changes 'nothing short of a stab in the back'.

Cllr Mark Mather said: “As a tenant farmer myself I’m acutely aware of the impact this budget will have on residents in Wooler. It’s not just about the inheritance tax, but a reduction in the Basic Payment scheme, double cab pick-up taxes, when everyone in farming knows these vehicles are vital to the work we do, and new taxes on fertilisers as part of a green agenda that could have a reverse effect on the environment as people look to import cheaper crops from abroad.

“We need to stick together as a rural community, as this will affect every part of our way of life. Every pound that is put into agriculture is spent time and time again within our local area, whether that is at the local shops or in the pub. It’s imperative that we stick together and make sure the government listens and understands how damaging this budget is going to be.

“That’s why I was down in London and I was glad to ensure residents’ voices were heard.”

Cllr Catherine Seymour said: “Berwick is a town that relies heavily on rural communities, so an attack on them is an attack on us too.

“Just like the removal of winter fuel payments for pensioners, and taxes on working people, this was a direct betrayal of Labour’s previous promises. They sold the people of Northumberland a pup in July and are now making clandestine deals to prioritise their trade union backers over working people, older people and rural communities who won’t forget this.

“It was great to see so many people in London delivering a clear message to government that we are not just going to take Labour’s attack on our farmers and food producers lying down.”