1
Oct
Tories to promise inheritance tax cut
Shadow chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce the
Conservative party's support for lower inheritance tax rates at the
party's annual conference today.
The annual meeting of Tory delegates will be told that the tax cut
will be funded by increasing the tax payable by wealthy businessmen
who are "non-domiciled" UK residents.
Besides reductions in inheritance tax, the party is also expected
to announce reductions in stamp duty for first-time property buyers
as well as changes to the "compensation culture" in schools.
Anticipation of the policy announcements comes at a time when polls
show Labour widening the gap over their traditional rivals.
The recommendations of policy groups, formed by Conservative leader
David Cameron, could also provide an indication of the party's
platform for the next elections.
Head of the Tory's childhood inquiry, David Willets, is expected to
announce a raft of measures to give greater legal protection to
those organising sporting activities for children and "giving
children back their childhood".
He is expected to tell delegates: "Children need play, adventure
and excitement. But today, fear of litigation means school trips
and adventure holidays are now abandoned.
"Instead, children get their excitement by retreating to their
bedrooms to play video games or the artificial stimulus of drink
and drugs. Nearly half of all gangs now meet in public
playgrounds."
Earlier in the year John Redwood, who headed the party's policy
groups on economic competitiveness, told the Telegraph that he was
recommending the abolition of inheritance tax and annual
deregulation rounds for Whitehall departments
Yesterday, Mr Cameron announced that he was ready to battle with
Labour for the future of the country.
"This is going to be the week when the Conservative party fights
back," he told reporters on arriving in Blackpool.
"We're going to be setting out an absolutely clear and compelling
alternative to this government. We'll be explaining to people that
you'll only get real change if you vote for it with the
Conservatives," he added.