Question Author
I have just seen some numbers on IHT, in todays "Times" I would like to post a link but can't, so here they are.
During 2014-2015, IHT brought in £3.8bn, and effected just 6.5% of deaths during the same period.
In 2019-20, if changes are not made, IHT will bring in £6.4bn, and effect 11.6% of deaths.
Its perfect clear from the figures above, that house prices provide the lion's share of contributions to IHT liability.
Now, perhaps I am too optimistic, but if we need to make £12bn in cuts, £6.4bn would go a long way to making a big dent in the savings needed.
Osborne may be cutting his nose off to spite his face, just to placate some of his wealthier supporters !