A mum and daughter from Furness are joining thousands of farmers in protesting recently announced changes in the Budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced reform to agricultural property relief, with Budget documents stating the 100 per cent rate of relief will continue for the first £1million of combined agricultural and business assets.

This also included that, from April 2026, inheritance tax will apply with the 50 per cent relief on assets over £1million.

The controversial policy has been defenced by the Government, with prime minster Keir Starmer claiming the 'vast majority' of farmer would be 'totally unaffected'.


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In response to the changes, in the belief that the new policy will negatively impact small farms across the country, two protest events have been organised for Tuesday, November 19.

One person getting involved is Sally Bowes, who helps manage Tarn Foot Farm in Leece alongside her dad George, which was bought by her grandad in the 1960s.

She said: "We have around 90 beef cattle so it’s a very small family farm - which could not sustain a full time wage.

"I have two autistic children - Glenn, 10, and Julia, eight - and this [the Budget] has ruined their future.

"I had plans to make a good adult life for them but they will never be able to pay off this debt after my day - the farm doesn’t make enough to save with the constant repairs, as well as feed and fertiliser price rises."

Julia helping out at Tarn Foot FarmJulia helping out at Tarn Foot Farm (Image: Sally Bowes)

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) have been forced to cap the attendance of the rally at Westminster at 1800, with demand to be involved proving to be even greater than first thought.

Sally and her daughter Julia will be a part of an independently coordinated rally, which is aiming to work alongside the NFU.

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"The £1million relief for farms is far too low - this is not a small family farm price.

"£1million is not a big amount in farming when a field is approximately £10-12,000 an acre - small family farm would be £3-6million."

Sally left her job as a social worker three years ago when it became clear that her dad, now 71, needed extra help around the farm.

Sally believes the new policy will be a 'catastrophe'Sally believes the new policy will be a 'catastrophe' (Image: Sally Bowes)

She added: "I have barely scratched the service of what I need to learn as farmers are highly skilled in every trade.

"Farmers are asset rich but the vast majority in this area make very low profits and no one I know will be able to pay the inheritance tax bill.

"This will result in many bankruptcies and sale of farms, where no other farm will have means to expand - in my opinion, this will have a devastating impact on British food that will be irreversible in ten years when the Government sees this catastrophe."

The rallies will use the hashtags #WeJustWantToFeedYou and #SaveFamilyFarms across social media and are inviting attendees to bring British produce to create a mass food bank donation.

You can find out more about the event and the precise locations by visiting the website here.