Farmers plot grocery store blockade as fury continues to develop over Rachel Reeves’ inheritance tax raid
Farmers are planning a New Year assault on supermarkets following Labour’s plans to tax them, according to reports.
Extreme factions of the farming community are said to be plotting to block supermarket distribution centres across the country.
The disruption to supply chains would increase prices for consumers and leave shelves empty, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Campaign sources told the paper they would ramp up their protests until stores reached a ‘complete shutdown’.
Farmers are furious after Labour subjected their assets to inheritance tax for the first time.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to levy a 20 per cent inheritance tax on farmers’ assets worth more than £1million in her first Budget.
Farmers have taken to Westminster to protest against the changes, with Jeremy Clarkson and others joining the cause.
A national day of action is expected on January 25 with tractors expected to mass outside marginal Labour constituencies.
The farmers protest in December. Farmers are furious after Labour subjected their assets to inheritance tax for the first time
A supermarket distribution centre. Extreme factions of the farming community are said to be plotting to block supermarket distribution centres across the country
Sainsbury’s sorting depot. Campaign sources told the paper they would ramp up their protests until stores reached a ‘complete shutdown’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced plans to levy a 20 per cent inheritance tax on farmers’ assets worth more than £1million in her first Budget
But more radical elements plan to blockade supermarket distribution centres unless the Government scraps the policy.
One told the Telegraph that the protests could happen as soon as mid-January.
They said: ‘The first time will be for a short period to show it can be done. Then a 12 or 24-hour shutdown, and ultimately if it gets that far, a complete shutdown until the Government come to the table.
‘It could ultimately shut down the economy, no food means serious chaos. The Government have picked a fight with the wrong sector.
A Government spokesman said: ‘Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with ten years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on.’
