Inheritance tax: victims of persecution during Second World War era

Part of Finance Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 2:15 pm ar 5 Gorffennaf 2016.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of David Gauke David Gauke The Financial Secretary to the Treasury 2:15, 5 Gorffennaf 2016

I thank the hon. Lady for her support. I would expect such a measure to have the support of the whole Committee. As the Prime Minister said on National Holocaust Day,

“whatever our faith, whatever our creed, whatever our politics” it is right that the whole country should stand together to remember the

“darkest hour of human history.”

To that end, the Government have committed to building a national memorial in London to show the importance that Britain places on preserving the memory of the holocaust.

The clause provides further reassurance and certainty to holocaust victims by placing on a statutory footing their right not to pay inheritance tax on the compensation they receive as a result of their persecution. I am proud that the Government have extended the inheritance tax exemption even further to include a one-off compensation payment for the victims who endured such an unimaginable trauma in their childhood. I am delighted that the clause has cross-party support.