Kemi Badenoch has confirmed the Conservatives are examining "fiscally responsible" ways to abolish inheritance tax, arguing the levy unfairly burdens middle-class families rather than the super-rich, who can use trusts or move abroad. The move, first reported by The Mail on Sunday, is widely expected to be unveiled at the Tory conference in Birmingham next month and would follow her earlier pledge to scrap stamp duty, a policy credited with reviving both the party and her leadership.

Badenoch used the announcement to attack Reform UK's Robert Jenrick, who had called it "morally wrong" to prioritise scrapping inheritance tax over raising the income tax threshold for low earners; he countered that her plan would help the wealthiest 5% while his would benefit 97% of workers via a £15,000 tax-free allowance. She also criticised Reform's crypto-linked donors, including Christopher Harborne, whose £72million donations are under scrutiny, saying they avoid inheritance tax through offshore or crypto holdings. Separately, Andy Burnham is reportedly considering a rival 10% "death tax" on most estates to fund social care, though he has ruled out calling an early election.