Charlotte Coombs, Legal Director in Birketts LLP’s Private Client Advisory team, assesses the growing uncertainty ahead of the Budget and outlines why

From April 2026, farms and rural businesses will only get full inheritance tax relief on the first £1m of assets. Anything above that amount faces a 20% tax. The policy was introduced by the Labour government to raise revenue and "make reliefs fairer" but farmers argue the cap will hit small family farms the hardest.

Police had banned tractors from Whitehall, but farmers angry about Rachel Reeves's tax changes brought their budget day protest to Westminster anyway.

More tightening of the rules around inheritance tax – especially around gifting – could potentially be coming in the Budget. Making safe, smart use of the gifting allowances as they currently stand may be a good idea.

When Jill Lemon’s mother died earlier this year, as well as dealing with the grief, she had to deal with another hurdle – sorting out paying a “wicked” £148,000 tax bill. Jill, 71, who lives in North Wales,

Farmers across the south have joined a national day of protest against the government's plans to reform inheritance tax, which they have said could devastate family farms. Convoys of tractors were driven through Southampton, in what farmers have described as a "show of strength" ahead of Wednesday's budget.