While farmers protest, UK’s Starmer says will defend budget ‘all day long’

LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday he would defend decisions taken in his new Labour government’s first budget “all day long”, while farmers protested over changes to inheritance tax.

Addressing the Welsh Labour Conference in Llandudno, north Wales, Starmer did not refer to the farmers’ complaints directly, but he said he stood by the decisions made in finance minister Rachel Reeves’ Oct. 30 budget statement.

“Make no mistake, I will defend our decisions in the budget all day long,” he said.

“I will defend facing up to the harsh light of fiscal reality, I will defend the tough decisions that were necessary to stabilise our economy.”

While Starmer spoke, hundreds of farmers protested outside the conference venue over a budget measure that will mean more of them having to pay inheritance tax.

They have warned that the move will threaten the viability of farms, make produce more expensive and threaten food security.

Farmers plan a major protest in London on Nov. 19.

UK businesses have also warned that increased employment taxes and a rise in the minimum wage from the budget will stoke inflation and have a negative impact on investment and jobs.