Tories to keep inheritance tax cut

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The promise came after shadow business secretary Kenneth Clarke appeared to suggest the flagship policy had been kicked into the long grass by describing it as an "aspiration" which the party hoped to implement "sooner or later".

Confusion over the policy will heighten speculation over a split between Mr Clarke and shadow chancellor George Osborne, who announced the plan to abolish inheritance tax on estates of less than £1 million at the Tory conference in 2007.

The plan to raise the threshold to £1 million - or £2 million for couples - was credited with turning round the Tories' fortunes and ending the Labour's "Brown bounce" in the polls, though it has since come under fire from Labour as a tax break for millionaires.

There was surprise in Westminster when Mr Clarke told BBC1's The Politics Show that no-one in the party any longer believed it should be brought in as soon as the Tories win power.

The highest priority would be reducing state debt, which would include going ahead with the Government's plan for a 45% income tax rate for people earning over £150,000, he said.

A statement was later released by the party saying: "People should be clear that the promise we made on inheritance tax is a promise we will keep. It will be in the manifesto.

"But for years George Osborne has said he will not write budgets - including the 2010 one - in advance. We are only able to help people who have saved to pass on something to their children because we have identified those who will pay for it - non-domiciles."