Key facts
- Robert Jenrick has ruled out abolishing inheritance tax if Reform UK wins the next General Election.
- Jenrick stated his priority is cutting taxes for working people, not the wealthy.
- Kemi Badenoch is reportedly planning to announce intentions to scrap inheritance tax.
- Jenrick suggested that income tax cuts would benefit 40 million taxpayers, while inheritance tax cuts would benefit 36,000 estates.
- Jenrick predicted the issue could become a "divide" between Reform UK and the Conservatives.
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman, has stated that abolishing inheritance tax is not a priority for his party, emphasizing instead a focus on tax cuts for working people. This stance contrasts with reported plans by Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch to scrap the levy ahead of the next General Election.
Jenrick told GB News that Reform UK's tax policy involves cutting government waste, foreign aid, net zero subsidies, and the benefits bill to fund an increase in the personal allowance to £15,000. He characterized Badenoch's reported intention to abolish inheritance tax as a tax cut that would predominantly benefit the well-off.
"Our priorities are very clear. It's working people," Jenrick stated, differentiating his party's approach from what he perceives as the Conservatives' focus on "the sectional interests of the asset rich, the older, those who have got lucky in life." He suggested that income tax cuts would have a broader impact, benefiting 40 million taxpayers compared to the 36,000 estates affected by inheritance tax annually.
A Conservative spokesman commented that the party has not finalized its conference platform but noted that Kemi Badenoch has previously expressed a desire to cut taxes, specifically mentioning inheritance tax.