Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of plotting a universal death tax on inheritance, claiming the Labour leader has no mandate for the policy. Anderson argues that Burnham entered No 10 without a clear plan and has been making unfunded promises.
Unfunded promises and tax rises
Anderson points to Burnham's pledge to scrap VAT on electricity bills, which he says would save households just £1 per week. According to Anderson, Burnham claimed the £850 million cost would be covered by scrapping digital ID, but former government official Darren Jones revealed no money had been allocated for the digital ID plans.
Now, Burnham is seeking to address social care, with universal provision potentially costing more than £18 billion a year. Anderson asks how this will be funded, suggesting Labour's instinct is to raise taxes.
Previous support for inheritance tax
Anderson claims Burnham has previously been an enthusiastic supporter of a flat 10% tax on everyone's inheritance, attempting to implement it as health secretary and again as shadow health secretary under Ed Miliband. Anderson describes this as a universal death tax levied on every individual regardless of assets, with no exemptions.
Currently, fewer than 5% of deaths result in an inheritance tax charge. Anderson argues that Labour's plan would fleece hundreds of thousands more families while they are grieving.
No mandate, no solution
Anderson states that punishing families at their lowest point was not in Labour's manifesto and that Burnham has zero mandate for such a policy. He concludes that raiding taxpayers is not the solution to social care and that if Burnham disagrees, he should call a general election to let the British people decide.
