Starmer Says People Must Choose Between NHS and Farmers’ Tax Breaks Following Protest
The government’s decisions regarding changes to inheritance tax relief for farms were defended by the prime minister.
During a visit to a housing development in Milton Keynes, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that voters must choose between additional funding for the NHS and stability in public finances, or an inheritance tax break for farmers. The visit was disrupted by a tractor protest, with musical tractor horns creating a loud disturbance.
This protest was a response to the Budget’s alterations to agricultural and business inheritance tax relief, which will result in some estates being liable for death duties.
Due to security concerns related to the protest, the prime minister had to cut short the visit and postpone planned media interviews.
After returning to London, Starmer highlighted the importance of having discussions about these political choices as a country. He defended Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s first Budget as necessary for stabilizing the UK’s finances, which included tough decisions such as ending the inheritance tax break for farmers.
Starmer underlined that maintaining both interest rates and tax breaks for farmers is not feasible, and voters must prioritize what they prefer in terms of economic growth and improved public services.
The prime minister’s remarks coincided with the latest NHS England figures showing a decrease in waiting lists, but also a record number of patients experiencing long waiting times in A&E.
Despite the disruption caused by the protest, no arrests were made as Thames Valley Police facilitated a peaceful demonstration.
