Rachel Reeves’s inheritance tax raid will be “good for farming and food production”, the Environment Secretary has claimed, despite a backlash from rural communities.

Dozens of farmers stage a go-slow tractor protest on the roads of Dover.

The government has introduced a new minimum threshold for inheritance tax which means that farm assets worth over £1 million (US$1.3 million) will be charged, albeit at the discounted rate of 20% ( instead of the standard 40% ). Some farms may be able to claim a threshold of £2 million or even £3 million.

Thousands of farmers took to the streets in London last week, warning that their families could be forced out of the industry.