Financial advice seekers braced for Autumn Budget hit to inheritance plans
New research from Unbiased reveals Autumn Budget worries for people planning to give and receive an inheritance.
58% of advice seekers planning to give an inheritance are concerned that Budget policies would negatively impact their plans to give assets to their beneficiaries.
59% of advice seekers who expect to receive an inheritance are concerned that Budget policies will impact their anticipated inheritance.
Concern has intensified following chancellor Rachel Reeves’ U-turn on income tax, raising questions about what the alternative revenue-raising measures could be.
With trillions set to move between generations as part of the Great Wealth Transfer, the Autumn Budget comes at a pivotal point for inheritance planning.
Unbiased founder Karen Barrett encourages people to seek advice from a qualified financial adviser so they can understand their options and make informed decisions.
London, 18th November 2025
There is widespread concern about the impact of speculated Autumn Budget policies, according to new research by Unbiased, the UK’s leading financial advice platform.
The research shows that 57% of advice seekers expect to give assets, of which 58% are worried the Autumn Budget could negatively affect their plans.
Separately, 56% expect to receive an inheritance, of which 59% are concerned it may be impacted.
Concerns around inheritance tax policy changes will likely intensify following Reeves’ U-turn on raising income tax, as many question what the alternative revenue-raising measures could be.
Unbiased's research also shows the speculated policies that advice seekers are most worried about overall, with inheritance tax (IHT) ranking fourth.
| Potential change | |
|---|---|
| 1. Pension tax relief changes | 58% |
| 2. Personal allowance freeze | 48% |
| 3. Property tax increases | 46% |
| 4. Inheritance tax changes | 40% |
| 5. National insurance changes | 36% |
| 6. Capital gains tax increase | 30% |
| 7. Salary sacrifice restrictions | 25% |
| 8. Wealth tax introduction | 21% |
The Budget comes at a pivotal time as the Great Wealth Transfer continues, with up to £7 trillion expected to pass between generations in the UK alone by 2050.
There are several speculated policies around IHT circulating, including a potential lifetime cap on the amount an individual can pass on to heirs free of IHT.
Currently, there is no limit – the person making the gift must live another seven years for it to be IHT-free. If the person dies over a specific period, taper relief applies, which may also be changed.
The freeze on the IHT threshold could also be extended, similar to last year’s Budget.
Karen Barrett, founder and chief executive of Unbiased, comments:
“Inheritance tax is an unpopular tax charged at a flat 40% and can be tricky to navigate during a difficult time.
“The speculated changes are concerning for those already grappling with the plans to bring inherited pensions into inheritance tax from April 2027.
“Whether giving or receiving, it’s worrying that the majority are concerned about the Autumn Budget affecting their inheritance plans, which is why it’s vital to seek expert advice.
“A qualified financial adviser can help individuals with their estate planning and avoid rash and potentially irreversible decisions.
“An adviser can also help to minimise their inheritance tax bill, which could likely rise if the proposed policies are introduced.”
About Unbiased
Unbiased is an AI-enabled financial advice platform, empowering people to make confident financial decisions and delivering unrivalled growth for advice firms.
With the greatest wealth transfer in history now underway, Unbiased connects people to trusted advice across pensions and retirement, inheritance planning, mortgages, accountancy, and more.
The Unbiased platform applies advanced models trained on a rich dataset of user activity to intelligently match individuals with qualified advisers, providing the easiest and most reliable way to access financial expertise.
Since 2009, Unbiased has generated over $100 billion in AUM opportunities for financial advisers, with 65% of prospects new to advice. Reaching more than 10 million consumers annually, it is the leading source of client demand in the industry.
For more information, visit unbiased.co.uk
Methodology
Insights are based on anonymised data from 1,192 UK consumers who used the Unbiased platform to seek financial advice between 18 September and 29 September 2025.
For interviews, comment or further information, please contact:
Lisa-Marie Voneshen, Senior Content Writer
Email: [email protected]