Tories consider scrapping inheritance tax; Reform UK opposes plan

Unbiased summary

The Conservative Party is reportedly considering a pledge to abolish inheritance tax, with the policy potentially forming the centrepiece of Kemi Badenoch's upcoming party conference speech. Reform UK's shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick criticised the idea as a 'desperate play', claiming the Tories had previously broken promises on the tax, and instead proposed raising the personal tax-free allowance to £15,000, which he said would save 40 million people £500 a year. Shadow Foreign Secretary Tom Tugendhat refused to confirm or rule out the policy, while emphasising his desire for tax reductions and criticising Labour's changes to inheritance tax on family farms. Inheritance tax currently applies to under 5% of estates, and its abolition would affect a relatively small number of taxpayers compared to Reform's broader income tax proposal.

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Coverage by outlet

City AM centre-right

Angle Frames the story as a political contest between the Tories' targeted inheritance tax pledge and Reform's broader personal allowance cut, with a focus on practical cost implications.

Bias Emphasises that inheritance tax abolition is a 'targeted giveaway' compared to Reform's wider tax cut, implicitly favouring Reform's policy as more beneficial for ordinary workers. Includes detailed cost figures and Jenrick's resignation pledge, while omitting Tugendhat's comments entirely. Strays from neutrality by framing the Tories' move as a political tactic rather than substantive policy.

Reform hits back at Tory plan to ‘abolish inheritance tax’

Daily Mail right

Angle Presents Reform's rejection of inheritance tax abolition as morally superior, positioning the Tories as 'out of touch' and prioritising tax cuts for the wealthy during a cost-of-living crisis.

Bias Highlights Jenrick's 'morally wrong' comment and the fact that only 30,000 estates pay the tax, downplaying the potential benefit of abolition. Draws an historical parallel to George Osborne's 2007 pledge, suggesting political calculation. Omits the specific details of Reform's personal allowance policy and its claimed impact, instead focusing on the social justice angle. Leans right but criticises the Tories from a reformist perspective, straying by using charged language like 'out of touch'.

Reform rules out abolishing inheritance tax as party brands Tories 'out of touch' for considering it

GB News right

Angle Focuses on Tugendhat's evasive response, framing the inheritance tax speculation as a 'nice try' and highlighting his support for tax cuts and opposition to Labour's farm tax.

Bias Spends most of the article on Tugendhat's interview, omitting Jenrick's direct criticism and Reform's substantive tax proposal. Emphasises Tugendhat's desire to reduce taxes and his attack on Labour's inheritance tax changes for farms, which is a Conservative talking point. Strays by implying the story is primarily about political evasion rather than policy specifics, and downplays the broader debate between the two parties.

Tom Tugendhat refuses to rule out scrapping inheritance tax but dodges questions on Tory plans: ‘Nice try!’