Tax relief 'giveaways' to wealthy cost Britain at least £4bn a year

Inheritance tax loopholes and entrepreneurs' relief mostly benefit the rich, critics say

Inheritance tax loopholes and incentives for small business owners, most often benefiting the richest people in Britain, have cost taxpayers at least 4bn a year, according to official figures.

Analysis of figures published by HM Revenue and Customs on Thursday revealed that the total cost of Britain's system of tax relief had risen to a record 164bn annually - more than the entire NHS budget.