Farmer says fight continues after more than 100 tractors stage go-slow protest on A14 between Felixstowe and Bury St Edmunds

A farmer has said the fight continues against changes to inheritance tax after more than 100 tractors took part in a go-slow protest on the A14.

The demonstration caused traffic chaos yesterday as farmers drove their tractors at 20mph along the key route between Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe — causing heavy delays for motorists.

It was part of a nationwide movement against government proposals that could see a 20 per cent inheritance tax applied to agricultural assets over £1 million from April 2026.

Farmer George Gittus, of Symonds Farm in Great Saxham, was unable to join the convoy but has voiced his support for those taking part.

He said: “The frustration we all share in the farming world is extremely evident.

“There are many in our industry who are working for less than minimum wage if you compared it to a more normal job, and the risk to reward factor of being a farmer has got so far out of hand.

“Those in the agricultural sector simply cannot keep working for nothing — enough is enough. The costs at our farm have gone up significantly.

“This fight will continue to at least get the Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) to realise that they have got it wrong.

“If this tax is enacted as it is proposed, it is going to be devastating for family businesses — farming and non-farming.”

Mr Gittus, who has owned Symonds Farm since 1957 with his family, is a National Farmers Union (NFU) Suffolk Council representative and NFU Regional vice chair for the East of England.

The protest impacted many and people across the county shared videos of the convoy online while others stood by the A14 to show their support.

However, some fear the protest may have gone too far too soon as the proposals are yet to be fully debated and passed in the House of Commons — meaning the final official details of the inheritance tax are still uncertain.

West Suffolk Cllr Frank Stennett expressed his concerns, as though he supports the farmers’ cause, he believes the protest may have drawn negative attention and could lead to farmers losing support from the public — similarly to the Just Stop Oil protests which have previously attracted national criticism.

He said: “I completely understand why this protest took place and I think its important that the farmers raise awareness of the situation — but is this the best way to achieve that?

“As of yet, no law has been passed, so I’m not sure why everyday people, who are just trying to get to work, should be made to face these heavy delays on the A14.

“I just think we need to pause, take a step back and maybe look at different ways to support farmers without all these disruptions.

“These protests cost fuel, cost money and probably cause a lot of damage to the road — why make other struggling businesses who use the A14 suffer as well with this demonstration? I just don’t get that.”

During her budget speech on October 30, the Chancellor said the measures would ensure the Government continues to ‘protect small family farms’ and that three-quarters of claims would remain unaffected by the proposed changes.

The Government argued the reforms would create a ‘fairer’ system compared to the current one as recent figures reveal that the top seven per cent of claims make up 40 per cent of the total value of agricultural property relief, costing taxpayers £219 million.

Meanwhile, the top two per cent of claims account for 22 per cent of the relief, amounting to £119 million.