Rachel Reeves £40 Billion Tax Hike Ignites Celebrity Fury Find Out Who’s Speaking Up

Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently announced a series of tax hikes designed to raise £40 billion for the public purse. However, her “tough” financial decisions have sparked backlash, with high-profile figures speaking out against the new measures.

Among the critics is Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, who expressed dismay over the proposed inheritance tax (IHT) changes that will impact families aiming to pass their farms on to the next generation. Set to take effect in April 2026, these IHT changes would see agricultural assets over £1 million subject to a 50% relief, with an effective tax rate of 20%. Frustrated, Clarkson urged fellow farmers to “hang in there for a painful five-year wait,” hoping Labour will be voted out by then. His remarks highlighted his broader disapproval, with Clarkson groaning that he “literally daren’t comment” on what he described as the “hopeless” state of the Labour government, told the Express.

Clarkson also criticized the potential increase in fuel prices, voicing concerns about the impact on those without convenient public transportation. “If you live in Kentish Town, then you are well served by many transport options. If you don’t live in Kentish Town, you aren’t. You need a car – [and] you need to be able to afford to drive it.” Fortunately, following public pressure, Reeves reversed her plan to increase fuel taxes, extending the Conservative Party’s temporary 5p cut for another year. However, freezing fuel prices will cost Labour an additional £3 billion in lost revenue, necessitating cuts in other areas to meet budget goals.

Kirstie Allsopp, the Location, Location, Location host, was also outspoken about the budget’s impact on farmers, taking to her X account to express her outrage. “Rachel Reeves has f***ed all farmers. She has destroyed their ability to pass farms on to their children, and broken the future of all our great estates,” she wrote. Allsopp condemned the decision, claiming it showed “ZERO understanding of what matters to rural voters.”

Piers Morgan kept his reaction short, simply tweeting “Oh dear” after seeing political editor Kate McCann’s post summarizing the historical nature of the budget. For context, she highlighted that Reeves’ tax hike of £40 billion is unprecedented, far surpassing previous budgets by Gordon Brown and George Osborne, who raised £14 billion and £13 billion, respectively.

Meanwhile, Carol Vorderman criticized the BBC’s coverage of the budget, alleging bias and accusing board director and former Tory communications head Robbie Gibb of “scripting” the narrative. Vorderman’s remarks reflect the intensified scrutiny surrounding both the budget and its media portrayal, as the nation reacts to Labour’s sweeping fiscal changes.