Tax Cuts for the Wealthy, Welfare Cuts for the Vulnerable: Is This Really the Future Britain Needs?

London 8 October 2026: Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) welcomes proposals to boost jobs, enterprise and economic growth—but questions a political agenda that appears to prioritise inherited wealth over preventing poverty.

Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch's Conference speech offered a clear indication of the direction in which she wants to take her party. Lower taxes, less regulation, reduced welfare spending and greater emphasis on individual responsibility were central themes.

There were some welcome ideas, particularly around youth employment, apprenticeships, economic growth and removing barriers to home ownership. These deserve serious consideration, regardless of which political party proposes them.

But the headline announcement raises a fundamental question about priorities. At a time when around 14 million people are living in poverty, is reducing inheritance tax for a relatively small number of wealthier families really the most pressing reform Britain needs?

Badenoch proposed exempting family homes from inheritance tax and increasing the allowance for other inherited assets. Fewer than 5% of estates (estimated at 30,000 people) currently pay inheritance tax, and her proposals would reduce that number substantially further.

People argue that individuals should be able to pass on the wealth they have accumulated without facing additional taxation. That is a legitimate position, and protecting ordinary families from disproportionate taxation deserves consideration. But there is another side to this argument. Millions of people have little prospect of accumulating substantial wealth to pass on because they are struggling to afford housing, energy, food and other essentials today.

Tom Burgess, Chief Executive of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said:

"There is something deeply troubling about a political agenda whose headline offer is further tax relief for families inheriting valuable property, while proposing to reduce spending on support for people experiencing financial hardship.

"We should be asking how Britain can create greater prosperity and opportunity for everyone, not simply how those who already have substantial assets can retain more of them. If we are serious about reducing poverty, every major tax and spending proposal should be judged by whether it improves financial security, increases opportunity and prevents people falling into hardship."

The contrast with Andy Burnham's recent conference speech was striking. Burnham sought to connect housing, care, living costs, opportunity and regional prosperity within a broader argument about building a Preventative State. TAP welcomed that direction while making clear that the Government must now demonstrate how it will deliver and fund its ambitions. Badenoch offered a more explicitly ideological vision centred on lower taxes, smaller government and individual responsibility. But the speech also contained a long list of individual commitments, accompanied by extensive criticism of Labour, Reform and other political opponents.

There is nothing wrong with robust political disagreement. Opposition parties have an important responsibility to challenge Government. However, TAP believes Britain would benefit from more emphasis on constructive solutions and less on political point-scoring.

The real test of any party's economic programme should be whether its proposals work together to reduce poverty, improve living standards, create opportunity and strengthen long-term prosperity.

Tom Burgess concluded:

"But the headline message from this conference leaves us asking a fundamental question: why should reducing taxes for families inheriting substantial property wealth take priority over improving the prospects of millions who are struggling financially today? Britain needs more than a collection of tax cuts and spending reductions. It needs an integrated economic strategy that creates prosperity, shares opportunity and prevents poverty.”

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For media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: media@taxpayersagainstpovery.org  Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk

About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers against Poverty is an independent, non-partisan organisation campaigning for practical policies that prevent poverty, reduce inequality and unnecessary financial hardship, and create better long-term value for taxpayers. Its current policy programme includes The Prevention Dividend, Connected Britain, Green Prosperity, Location, Location plus tax reform, housing, transport, and inclusive economic growth.

TAP was founded by the late Rev Paul Nicolson and is led by Tom Burgess, author of From Here to Prosperity, a new political agenda for a sustainable economy and greater social justice, which proposes taxing wealth more and income less. TAP is part of Real Agenda Network, a not-for-profit social enterprise bringing together campaigns, research, media and public engagement to tackle poverty, inequality and the barriers preventing people from thriving, this includes Compassion in Politics which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life; The Progressive Policy Unit (PPU) which develops practical, evidence-based proposals on poverty prevention, economic fairness, taxation, public services and social wellbeing; Purple Shoots which helps people excluded from mainstream finance start sustainable microbusinesses by providing small ethical loans alongside practical support and mentoring, creating income, independence and stronger local economies as well as Real Agenda Radio (RAR) which is the network’s media platform, providing podcasts, interviews and commentary that amplify under-reported issues, challenge conventional thinking and give a voice to people working for positive social change.