WHETHER in Powys or in Parliament Square, people have been showing their support for farmers today.

Farmers from across the UK swarmed on London on Tuesday (November 19) to protest the “absolutely unacceptable” changes to inheritance tax.

NFU Cymru said hundreds of its members travelled to London to join thousands of farmers from across Britain, with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) holding a mass lobby of MPs with 1,800 of its members.

The ambition is to urge backbenchers to stand up to the UK Government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million.

Celebrities including TV presenter and farmer Jeremy Clarkson – who said that avoiding inheritance tax was “critical” in his decision to buy land – were expected to join the rally.

Meanwhile, protests were also taking place back home, with school pupils in Presteigne taking to the snowy streets to march – or ride their toy tractors – in support of farmers.

A procession to Parliament Square was set to be spearheaded by children on toy tractors – although organisers had told those coming that they should not bring their farm machinery, bidding to halt any plans to clog roads like with previous protests in the capital.

“It was brilliant to join so many farmers protesting to #StopTheFamilyFarmTax today in London,” said Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick in a post on Facebook.

“The Liberal Democrats will fight to defeat these disastrous plans and to stand up for farmers right across Wales.”

Tuesday is the largest show of anger to date over the inheritance tax changes for farming businesses, which limit the 100 per cent relief for farms to only the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property.

For anything above that, landowners will pay a 20 per cent tax rate, rather than the standard 40 per cent rate of inheritance tax (IHT) applied to other land and property.

A Met Police spokesperson said the force was “well prepared” for Tuesday’s protest and had had positive discussions with organisers.