Badenoch pledges Tories would scrap inheritance tax on family homes

During her keynote address at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, leader Kemi Badenoch unveiled a major policy pledge regarding inheritance tax (IHT). She committed that a future Conservative government would introduce legislation ensuring that citizens will never have to pay inheritance tax on their primary family home.

In addition to removing the tax burden on family properties, the proposed framework would allow married or civil partner couples to leave an additional £1 million tax-free to their beneficiaries. Badenoch explained that these modifications would lower every single inheritance tax bill and cut the total volume of families subjected to the tax by more than half. However, she noted that completely abolishing the tax altogether remains a long-term ambition until the government can afford it given existing financial commitments.

Conservative officials estimated the sweeping tax policy would cost roughly £6 billion per year. The party maintains it has successfully identified £71 billion worth of potential government spending reductions, including welfare cuts, to finance the proposed tax reliefs responsibly.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Addressing delegates inside the conference hall, Badenoch touched upon intra-party stability and rival political movements. She remarked that the party has moved past a phase where figures defected to Reform UK, declaring that the Conservative Party is now focused on serious governance without unnecessary political theater. She also dismissed the possibility of pursuing an electoral pact with Reform.