Tory priority is a tax cut for millionaires 26th March 2009

Julian Ware-Lane challenges Tory opponent on inheritance tax plans. 

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point, has today challenged his Conservative opponent on whether she supports David Cameron's policy that does nothing for 96 per cent of families in the country.  At a time when they have also called for cuts in police, sure start, housing and apprenticeships, this shows where the Tories’ true instincts really lie. 

Julian said: "David Cameron says he wants to help ordinary families but his priority during the downturn is to give on average a £200,000 tax cut to 3,000 millionaires. It’s a policy that does nothing for 96 per cent of families in this country. 

"He has confirmed that his party will be campaigning in the next election on a manifesto which so far has only one definite pledge – an inheritance tax cut for millionaires.   

"If the Conservatives meant what they said then they'd drop their tax cuts for the wealthiest estates and support the £145 tax cut that Labour are giving to basic rate taxpayers.  My challenge to Rebecca Harris is simple - at this tough time does she support an inheritance tax cut for millionaires that will do nothing to help the majority of people in Castle Point?"   

The vast majority of families in Castle Point pay no inheritance tax. From 2010 the inheritance tax allowance will rise to £350,000 per person, or £700,000 for married couples. Below this amount families pay no inheritance tax at all.