SAS veteran Phil Campion has launched a blistering attack on Labour’s plans to impose inheritance tax on military death-in-service payments, calling the move “despicable” and bordering on “cowardice”.
Speaking on GB News, Campion said armed forces personnel were “sitting ducks for their stupidity” because they lack union representation and cannot strike.
“It’s another easy target for them – armed forces, we don’t have unions,” the former special forces soldier said.
“We can’t go on strike. They couldn’t put us further back in the queue when it comes to absolutely everything that they do.”
Campion tore into the Labour Government in a brutal rant
GB NEWS / PA
Labour MPs have voted to impose inheritance tax on death-in-service payments for military families from April 2027.
The changes mean children or partners of unmarried servicemen and women will face death duties on the lump sum payments.
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Death-in-service payments, which typically amount to four times the late individual’s salary, are currently tax-free.
Under the new rules, military personnel who die while off duty – such as from sudden illness or accident – will see their payments subject to inheritance tax of up to 40 percent.
The payments will go into probate if not left to a spouse or civil partner, and cannot be protected through trusts as they are part of the Armed Forces pension scheme.
In a passionate statement, Campion highlighted the constant demands placed on military personnel.
Phil Campion joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
“When you sign that dotted line, you don’t just sign it to go to war, you’re on duty 24/7. You’re on call 24/7. You can be plucked out of the sky any time they choose,” he said.
The veteran referenced his recent work with Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity supporting bereaved military children.
“Members from the charity are absolutely appalled that they would start taking from people like that. It’s ridiculous,” Campion added.
“It’s just an absolute shock across everybody’s bowels. It’s despicable and borders on cowardice.”
Major General Neil Marshall, chief executive of the Forces Pension Society, has written to HMRC urging them to reverse the decision.
In his letter, he warned the policy “poses a serious threat to morale, team cohesion and ultimately operational effectiveness” given the high-risk nature of military service.
A Treasury spokesman responded: “We value the immense sacrifice made by our brave Armed Forces.”
The spokesman confirmed existing inheritance tax exemptions will continue to apply “if a member of the Armed Forces dies from a wound inflicted, accident occurring or disease contracted on active service.”
Any pension funds left to a spouse or civil partner in such cases will also remain exempt.
