Monty Don threw his support behind farmers who descended on central London on Tuesday to protest against changes to inheritance tax. In last month's Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a 20% inheritance tax that will apply to farms worth more than £1m from April 2026. Farmers have argued that the changes will destroy family farms, however, the government says it will make no difference to food security and have claimed only the wealthiest of landowners will be hit.
The decision sparked fury amongst rural communities, with Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), branding it a "betrayal". The NFU has now organised an event which will see 1,800 of its members meet with local MPs at Westminster to voice their anger. Thousands are also separately expected to stage a demonstration in Whitehall on Tuesday (November 19).
Monty, 69, voiced his support for those protesting in an Instagram post shared today. The British broadcaster and horticulturist wrote: "Solidarity and support today for all family farmers protesting today against this government's punitive tax proposals that will devastate small family farms right across the country. "Most people take food and the lovely countryside for granted but thousands of small family farms are the backbone of both our food supply, our countryside and - most importantly - of thousands of communities.
" The Gardeners' World presenter's followers flocked to the comments to praise the star for his words, with one writ.
