"Many Photos" - Grieving families face ‘hidden’ £6,000 ‘death tax’ that could be waved through Parliament as ministers are accused of trying to avoid scrutiny

A “DEATH tax” that could hit grieving families with bills of up to £6,000 could be passed without scrutiny from MPs.

The cost of securing probate — legal control over a relative’s estate — will soar from April.

Grieving families are set to be hit with a ‘hidden’ £6,000 ‘death tax’

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Families face a £250 charge on estates valued at £50,000 to £300,000, rising to £6,000 for those worth more than £2million.

Almost 300,000 families a year will pay more than the current £215 fee.

The rises will see the Ministry of Justice, headed by Lord Chancellor David Gauke, rake in an extra £185million a year by 2022/23.

Ministers are accused of trying to avoid parliamentary scrutiny by categorising the death tax as a fee — which means MPs cannot vote on the probate hike.

It can only be overturned by an MP issuing a formal protest in the chamber.

Lib Dem Sir Vince Cable told The Daily Mail: “This is a clear abuse of executive power.

“Fees must be paid upfront so the vastly increased sums involved will see bereaved relatives having to take out loans just to access what has been left to them.”

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The Law Society’s Hugo Forshaw added: “These are not fees at all — they are a stealth tax.

“Since 1215’s Magna Carta, kings and governments have been required to put legislation before Parliament for approval before raising a new tax.

“It will set a dangerous precedent for tax rises if the Government gets away with such an egregious misuse of powers.”

Probate hikes will see the MoJ, headed by Lord Chancellor David Gauke, rake in an extra £185million a year

EPA

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News Photo Grieving families face ‘hidden’ £6,000 ‘death tax’ that could be waved through Parliament as ministers are accused of trying to avoid scrutiny
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