Rachel Reeves dug in against farmers heading to London for large-scale protests over controversial changes to inheritance tax. The Chancellor and Environment Secretary Steve Reed issued a joint statement ahead of what was expected to be demonstrations in the capital by as many as 20,000 farmers, possibly even more, outside Parliament.

The government is preparing to face the biggest protest yet over its Budget tax change as farmers gather in the capital.

Thousands of British farmers will march to Parliament Square on Tuesday to protest against the end of an inheritance tax exemption that has helped family farms pass down the generations, saying the move will threaten food production.