A petition launched just days ago calling on the government to scrap its farm inheritance tax proposals is rapidly approaching 100,000 signatures.

With more than 90,000 people having signed it by Monday afternoon (25 November), the petition warns that changes to inheritance tax will 'devastate' family farms.

If it reaches the 100,000-signature mark, the issue will be brought forward for debate in parliament.

The petition, which has gained widespread attention, argues that farming families would be forced to sell land and assets to stay on their farms if the proposed tax is implemented.

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Starting in April 2026, farms valued over £1 million will face a 20% inheritance tax charge, raising concerns over the future of family-owned farms in the UK.

The controversial proposal, announced during the autumn budget, sparked a large farmer demonstration in central London on November 19.

The protest also addressed concerns about rising costs, shrinking profit margins, and uncertainty regarding future government policies.

The petition, which was created last week, quickly exceeded the 10,000-signature mark, prompting a mandatory response from the government.

"We urge the government to maintain the current exemptions for working farms," the petition states, warning that altering tax relief for farms will 'devastate' them.

"We believe that passing farms down through generations is crucial to UK agriculture. Up until now, inheritance tax exemptions have allowed farmland to be passed on without taxation."

"Changes to inheritance tax will harm UK farming deeply, with some farmers predicting their families will be forced out within two generations."

The petition concludes: “We think the government is framing the policy around the targeting of rich landowners, but we believe this policy will affect farming families of all sizes."