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In pictures: Farmers take their tax campaign to Parker’s Piece in Cambridge




Farmers and members of the Cambridgeshire branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) were out in force on Parker’s Piece last Saturday morning (25 January), campaigning against the government’s inheritance tax reforms.

Joining them at one of Cambridge’s best-known green open spaces was NFU president Tom Bradshaw, who has previously raised the issue with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell

A series of events across the country on Saturday were part of a ‘National Day of Unity’, with farmers bringing food, tractors and livestock to town centres across the UK.

The farmers were stepping up their campaign against the reforms, which they say would “decimate” the country’s agricultural sector.

From April 2026, any land worth more than £1million will be taxed upon the death of its owner at a rate of 20 per cent, which is half the usual rate of 40 per cent.

Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
Members of the NFU take their protest to Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell

Sam Goddard, vice-chairman of the Cambridgeshire branch of the NFU, said: “We were keen to do something in central Cambridge, because of Cambridge’s MP Daniel Zeichner being the minister of state for food security.

“We’re very grateful to the city council for allowing us to go on Parker’s Piece.”

Labour MP Mr Zeichner was unable to attend on Saturday.

“I understand he is meeting with local farmers this week,” said Sam. “The line that they’ve been using, that it only affects a small number of farmers, we disagree with.”

Sam says the event attracted a lot of attention from onlookers, surprised at seeing tractors on Parker’s Piece.

“As far as I’m aware, every single conversation that we had with any member of the public was very supportive,” he said.

The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell
The NFU event on Parker’s Piece. Picture: Keith Heppell

A government spokeperson said: “Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will mean estates will pay a reduced effective inheritance tax rate of 20 per cent, rather than standard 40 per cent, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free.”



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