Farmers protest live: Tractors set to flood London in second rally against Reeves's Budget proposals
British farmers are set to descend on Whitehall for the third time in four months as they demand the government rethinks its inheritance tax plan.
Protesters are due to arrive in central London in their tractors at 1pm for the demonstration, organised by Save British Farming (SBF). The march is called 'Change Your Tune, Starmer'.
Previous protests have seen thousands of tractors and tens of thousands of demonstrators moving through the capital.
They are marching against chancellor Rachel Reeves's decision in her Budget to extend inheritance tax to agricultural land.
Liz Webster, the founder of SBF, accused Ms Reeves of ensuring that the UK is 'marching into a food crisis'.
Industry leaders will address the crowds in Whitehall at 3.15pm. The speakers include National Farmers Union Tom Bradshaw and celebrity farmer Gareth Wyn Jones.
Country Land and Business Association deputy president Gavin Lane, who will be among the speakers taking to the stage, said: 'The government is hoping we'd move on, but these are our livelihoods we are defending.
'This issue will haunt them until they see sense. The case against these tax reforms is only growing stronger, and we are working to bring the whole of British industry together for the common good.'
Farmers vow to 'haunt' government until change enacted
Pictured: Farmers and their tractors in north London
What are the changes to farm tax?
09:36 , Holly Evans
The National Farmers Union, which has organised previous protests, said it supported any of its members taking part.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 'The strength of feeling around the proposed family farm tax is still incredibly high.
'We support any members who want to take part in other respectful and lawful demonstrations which work towards our aim to stop the family farm tax.'
09:17 , Holly Evans
Speaking at Belmont Farm in North West London, Nigel Farage has called for the end of 'death taxes'.
The Reform UK leader has been a vocal opponent to the inheritance tax rate on farms since it was announced in the October Budget.
On stage at a gathering of the group Farmers to Action, he said: 'No to death taxes full stop. End death taxes. They are wrong. They are immoral at every level.'
09:00 , Tom Watling
According to the National Farmers Union, while farms may have a high nominal asset value – the value of their land and business assets – the returns from farming are often very low, so farming families may not have the reserves to pay for inheritance tax liabilities without selling off assets.
The NFU's president Tom Bradshaw said the change had left elderly farmers in the 'cruellest predicament', as they may not live for another seven years to take advantage of exemptions for gifting assets, or to hand over assets in a way that qualifies for the gifting exemption.
He has also warned the changes could undermine investment as farmers will be wary of increasing the balance sheet as they will be liable to pay inheritance tax on it.
There are also concerns that it could affect tenant farmers if landowners no longer benefit from having a tax exemption for farmed land.
Mr Bradshaw said there was a feeling among farmers that the Government did not understand food production.
08:44 , Holly Evans
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London.
The rally in Westminster over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the budget is set to take place later today.
08:29 , Holly Evans
Every major British supermarket has turned on Sir Keir Starmer over his tax-hiking Budget, warning the raid on family farmers will put food supply chains at risk.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda are among the supermarket giants signed up to a damning letter warning over 'the long-term stability of the nation's food resilience'.
Lidl, Aldi, Co-op and Marks & Spencer have also signed the letter calling for the 'abhorrent' tax raid, to be dropped.
Read the full article here:
Every major supermarket turns on Starmer over tractor tax
08:14 , Tom Watling
Previously, farming businesses qualified for 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax on agricultural property and business property.
But now the tax is being imposed on farms worth more than £1 million, with an effective tax rate of 20 per cent on assets above the threshold, rather than the normal 40 per cent rate for inheritance tax.
The Government says that the actual threshold before paying inheritance tax could be as much as £3 million, once exemptions for each partner in a couple and for the farm property are taken into account.
08:05 , Holly Evans
Farmers and their tractors at Belmont Farm in north London, ahead of a rally in Westminster over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules in the budget which introduced new taxes on farms worth more than £1 million.
07:45 , Tom Watling
Farming groups have vowed to 'haunt' the Labour government until they reverse plans to extend inheritance tax to agricultural property.
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) deputy president Gavin Lane, who will be among the speakers taking to the stage on Whitehall for today's protests, said: 'The government is hoping we'd move on, but these are our livelihoods we are defending.
'This issue will haunt them until they see sense. The case against these tax reforms is only growing stronger, and we are working to bring the whole of British industry together for the common good.
'We are delighted to be supporting the rally on Monday and thank everyone involved, and the public, for their backing.'
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Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
G-7 leaders gather in Canada for a summit overshadowed by Israel-Iran crisis and trade wars
BANFF, Alberta — Leaders of some of the world's biggest economic powers began arriving in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday for a Group of 7 summit, overshadowed by an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and President Trump's unresolved trade war with allies and rivals alike. Israel's strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation, which appeared to catch many world leaders unawares, is the latest sign of a more volatile world as Trump seeks to withdraw the U.S. from its role as world policeman. Speaking on a flight to Canada to attend the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed efforts to de-escalate the crisis with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders. Britain is sending fighter jets and other military reinforcements to the Middle East. 'We do have long-standing concerns about the nuclear program Iran has. We do recognize Israel's right to self-defense, but I'm absolutely clear that this needs to de-escalate. There is a huge risk of escalation for the region and more widely,' Starmer said, adding that he expected 'intense discussions' would continue at the summit. As summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint statement, or communique, at the end of the meeting. With other leaders wanting to talk to Trump in an effort to talk him out of imposing tariffs, the summit risks being a series of bilateral conversations rather than a show of unity. Trump is the summit wild card. Looming over the meeting are his inflammatory threats to make Canada the '51st state' and take over Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday for a highly symbolic stop on his way to Canada, meeting the Arctic territory's leader and Denmark's prime minister aboard a Danish helicopter carrier. Macron's office said the trip to Greenland is a reminder that Paris supports principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders as enshrined in the United Nations charter. Macron, who is one of the few leaders to have known Trump during his first term, was the first European leader to visit the White House after Trump took office, emerging unscathed from the Oval Office encounter. But despite the two leaders' sporadic alliance, Macron's approach to Trump has failed to bear major results, with France caught up in the president's planned tariffs on the European Union. Nor did it bring any U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine despite Macron's efforts, together with Starmer, to build a coalition of nations that could deploy forces after any ceasefire with Russia, with the hope it would convince the Trump administration to provide backup. Trump is scheduled to arrive late Sunday in Kananaskis, Alberta. Bilateral meetings among other leaders are possible Sunday, but the summit program does not get underway until Monday. Peter Boehm, who managed Canada's 2018 Group of 7 summit in Quebec and is a veteran of six G-7 gatherings, expects the heads of state to pivot discussion to devote more time to the war. 'Leaders can accommodate a discussion, perhaps even a statement,' Boehm said. 'The foreign policy agenda has become much larger with this.' Leaders who are not part of the G-7 but have been invited to the summit by Carney include the heads of state of India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. Avoiding tariffs will continue to be top of mind. 'Leaders, and there are some new ones coming, will want to meet Donald Trump,' Boehm said. 'Trump doesn't like the big roundtable as much he likes the one-on-one.' Bilateral meetings with the American president can be fraught as Trump has used them to try to intimidate the leaders of Ukraine and South Africa. Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien told a panel last week that if Trump does act out, leaders should ignore him and remain calm like Carney did in his recent Oval Office meeting. 'He tends to be a bully,' Chrétien said. 'If Trump has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy. Let him do it and keep talking normally.' Starmer had a warm Oval Office meeting with the president in February, wooing Trump with an invitation for a state visit from King Charles III. Trump has praised the British prime minister, despite their political differences. Last month Britain and the U.S. announced they had struck a trade deal that will slash American tariffs on U.K. autos, steel and aluminum. It has yet to take effect, however, though British officials say they are not concerned the Trump administration might go back on its word. Starmer's attempts to woo Trump have left him in an awkward position with Canada, the U.K.'s former colony, close ally and fellow Commonwealth member. Starmer has also drawn criticism — especially from Canadians — for failing to address Trump's stated desire to make Canada the 51st state. Asked whether he has told Trump to stop the 51st-state threats, Starmer told the Associated Press: 'I'm not going to get into the precise conversations I've had, but let me be absolutely clear: Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth.' The war in Ukraine will also be on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their bruising Oval Office encounter which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the U.S. president. Starmer met with Carney in Ottawa before the summit for talks focused on security and trade, in the first visit to Canada by a British prime minister in eight years. German officials were keen to counter the suggestion that the summit would be a 'six against one' event, noting that the G-7 countries have plenty of differences of emphasis among themselves on various issues. 'The only problem you cannot forecast is what the president of the United States will do depending on the mood, the need to be in the news,' said Chrétien. Gillies and Lawless write for the Associated Press and reported from Banff and Ottawa, respectively. AP writers Josh Boak in Calgary, Canada, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Geir Moulson in Berlin and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.
2 hours ago
G7 leaders gather for summit overshadowed by Israel-Iran crisis and trade wars
BANFF, Alberta -- Leaders of some of the world's biggest economic powers arrive in the Canadian Rockies on Sunday for a Group of Seven summit, overshadowed by an escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and U.S. President Donald Trump's unresolved trade war with allies and rivals alike. Israel's strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation, which appeared to catch many world leaders unawares, is the latest sign of a more volatile world as Trump seeks to withdraw the U.S. from its role as world policeman. Speaking on a flight to Canada to attend the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed efforts to de-escalate the crisis with Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other world leaders. Britain is sending fighter jets and other military reinforcements to the Middle East. 'We do have longstanding concerns about the nuclear program Iran has. We do recognize Israel's right to self-defense, but I'm absolutely clear that this needs to de-escalate. There is a huge risk of escalation for the region and more widely," Starmer said, adding he expected 'intense discussions' would continue at the summit. As summit host, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint statement, or communique, at the end of the meeting. With other leaders wanting to talk to Trump in an effort to talk him out of imposing tariffs, the summit risks being a series of bilateral conversations rather than a show of unity. Trump is the summit wild card. Looming over the meeting are his inflammatory threats to make Canada the 51st state and take over Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday for a highly symbolic stop on his way to Canada, meeting the Arctic territory's leader and Denmark's prime minister aboard a Danish helicopter carrier. Macron's office said the trip to Greenland is a reminder that Paris supports principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders as enshrined in the U.N. charter. Macron, who is one of the very few leaders to have known Trump during his first term, was the first European leader to visit the White House after Trump took office, emerging unscathed from the Oval Office encounter. But despite the two leaders' sporadic bromance, Macron's approach to Trump has failed to bear major results, with France caught up in the president's planned tariffs on the European Union. Nor did it bring any U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine despite Macron's efforts, together with Starmer, to build a coalition of nations that could deploy forces after any ceasefire with Russia, with the hope it would convince the Trump administration to provide backup. Trump is scheduled to arrive late Sunday in Kananaskis, Alberta. Bilateral meetings between other leaders are possible Sunday, but the summit program does not get underway until Monday. Peter Boehm, Canada's sherpa of the 2018 G7 summit in Quebec and veteran of six G7 summits, expects the heads of state to pivot discussion to devote more time to the war. 'Leaders can accommodate a discussion, perhaps even a statement,' Boehm said. 'The foreign policy agenda has become much larger with this.' Leaders who are not part of the G7 but have been invited to the summit by Carney include the heads of state of India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and the UAE. Avoiding tariffs will continue to be top of mind. 'Leaders, and there are some new ones coming, will want to meet Donald Trump,' Boehm said. 'Trump doesn't like the big round table as much he likes the one-on-one.' Bilateral meetings with the American president can be fraught as Trump has used them to try to intimidate the leaders of Ukraine and South Africa. Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien told a panel this week that if Trump does act out, leaders should ignore him and remain calm like Carney did in his recent Oval Office meeting. 'He tends to be a bully,' Chrétien said. 'If Trump has decided to make a show to be in the news, he will do something crazy. Let him do it and keep talking normally.' Starmer had a warm Oval Office meeting with the president in February, wooing Trump with an invitation for a state visit from King Charles III. Trump has praised the British prime minister, despite their political differences. Last month Britain and the U.S. announced they had struck a trade deal that will slash American tariffs on U.K. autos, steel and aluminum. It has yet to take effect, however, though British officials say they are not concerned the Trump administration might go back on its word. Starmer's attempts to woo Trump have left him in an awkward position with Canada, the U.K.'s former colony, close ally and fellow Commonwealth member. Starmer has also drawn criticism — especially from Canadians — for failing to address Trump's stated desire to make Canada the 51st state. Asked if he has told Trump to stop the 51st state threats, Starmer told The Associated Press: 'I'm not going to get into the precise conversations I've had, but let me be absolutely clear: Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth.' The war in Ukraine will be on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump, a reunion coming just months after their bruising Oval Office encounter which laid bare the risks of having a meeting with the U.S. president. Starmer met with Carney in Ottawa before the summit for talks focused on security and trade, in the first visit to Canada by a British prime minister for eight years. German officials were keen to counter the suggestion that the summit would be a 'six against one' event, noting that the G7 countries have plenty of differences of emphasis among themselves on various issues. Chrétien.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Fast-casual food places conquering Midtown as workers return to office
Fast-casual food spots are fast conquering Midtown to fill long-empty storefronts — buoyed by more office workers returning to their desks five days a week. The boom includes not only familiar names such as Pret a Manger and Sweetgreen, but also brands new to New York. 'Coming soon' signs just went up in the windows of 40 W. 53rd St. for Farmer J, a UK-based, health-focused chain with 11 locations in London and expanding to the U.S. for the first time. Pollo Campero, which its broker, Meridian Retail Leasing president James Famularo, called 'the Chick-fil-A of Guatemala,' was unknown here until it opened at 966 Sixth Ave. and at 714 Lexington Ave. about a year ago. Famularo also brought Springbone Kitchen, a bone broth operation, to 25 E. 51st where he represented the landlord. 3 British health-focused chain Farmer J will open its first store in the U.S. at 714 Lexington Ave Steve Cuozzo Landlords and retail brokers attribute the boom to the return of five-day office workweeks for many employees. 'A lot of this is a function of people returning five days a week, and major companies believe Midtown and the Financial District are viable again,' said Patrick A. Smith, vice chairman of retail brokerage for JLL. Five-day work schedules are crucial to casual food businesses because, Smith explained, 'They mostly have to survive on one meal a day — lunch. They can't do it on only three days a week.' Famularo agreed, saying, 'The big story is that people are back in the offices. This is after years of hearing the city will never be back to five days a week, which was the biggest impediment we found when we showed midtown spaces.' CBRE's Henry Rossignol, who represented Joe & the Juice in its latest lease at 1195 Sixth Ave., also attributed operators' confidence to data they get from delivery services such as Uber Eats and Door Dash, 'which tells them exactly where the demand is at a particular location.' The newest Joe is right across from the next outpost of Naya, the popular Middle Eastern chain that's gobbling up storefronts everywhere. 3 Joe & the Juice at 1195 Sixth Ave. Steve Cuozzo Cushman & Wakefield's Steven Soutenidjk, who represented Carrot Express in its lease at 600 Lexington Ave. two years ago, said the corner location is the Florida-based chain's best performer. He said as a result of the fast-casual spread, 'There's basically no space available for any more between Lexington and Seventh avenues,' Soutenidkj said. Some of the new arrivals are taking over spaces that were dark for years. A bagel operation called Scoop is coming to previously vacant 7 E. 53rd St. Also new to the scene are Yumpling, a Taiwanese spot at 16 E. 52nd St.; British coffee-and-snacks chain WatchHouse, which just signed a lease at the Chrysler Building on the heels of its success at 660 Fifth Ave.; and Bagizza, a pizza-and-bagels hybrid at 424 Madison Ave. 3 Bagel shop Scoop will open at 7 E. 53rd Street. Steve Cuozzo Asking rents vary a lot depending on location. But most brokers said they range in Midtown from $150 to $300 per square foot. After years of struggling with a shrunken retail-space markets, landlords are thrilled that fast-casual is helping take up the slack. 'The tides are finally turning,' Famularo said. 'What was a glut of inventory, now is slowly disappearing every week.'
