Field rues Tories’ change of heart

Jul 3 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEY MP Frank Field accused the Tories of wrecking his attempt to give siblings who live together the same inheritance tax breaks as married couples.

The Birkenhead MP turned his fire on the Conservatives after failing to amend the Finance Bill to allow brothers and sisters sharing a home for 10 years to avoid death duties when one dies.

Mr Field said he had enough support on the Labour benches to defeat the Government – until the Tories unexpectedly announced they would not support the plan.

Mr Field said: “The current duties result in many bereaved siblings having to sell up their homes and start all over again.”