In Ireland the inheritance law was amended several years ago to allow siblings, same sex partners, even friend/co-habitees to inherit their family home from each other tax-free so long as they had lived together for three continuous years before the other's death. A fair solution that has worked.

Jill Kerby, Dublin , Ireland

I do feel sorry for them, but wonder if their plight has been exacerpated by some lawyer eager for the media spotlight. There are many things that they could have done to minimise the tax payable by simple inheritance tax planning (trusts, tenancy in common etc) if they had got some proper advice.

Ed, Brighton,

They seem to have decided many years ago to be partners in caring for their elders and becoming a team. It is a shame one will be stripped of almost half of her inheritence. They should sell..leave the country..put their money in a swiss account and live out their remaining years on a remote island

mary bullard, sumter,

Perhaps they could sell one of the two other properties that they own and which are worth a combined price of over £300k. That would take care of the IHT bill.

Lou Lou, Oxon, UK

Looks like some people's human rights are superior to others

A. Hazell, Canberra,

I appreciate this is distressing for them, but couldn't they make their point without comments like 'if we were lesbians we would have all the rights in the world' - untrue (whether they are lesbians or not is irrelevant, the problem is they are siblings and not partners) and smacks of homophobia.

Sarah, London, UK

It is really quite simple to right this wrong - just exempt homes under £1 million from inheritance tax. If I were in their shoes, I would raise money on the house and just spend it or give it away - anything rather than give it to Gordo to waste on more ministerial initiatives.

David Nammory, Liverpool,

About time inheritance tax was abolished. There is no acceptable reason why government should expect a cash handout whenever a citizen dies. By the time these properties are inherited, the state has already helped itself to a number of taxes from the deceased anyway. Inheritance tax is immoral.

jan gamm, Alicante, Spain

Two siblings cannot have a civil partnership just as a brother and sister cannot marry. Seven years and gifts are tax free. Not much use if you are 90, but they have been asking the Chancellor for a change in the law since 1976, so they had plenty of time. Spend it, gift it or the Government take it

David, Northampton, England

the law should be changed so that this potential injustice can be avoided, lets hope that when elected the Tories stick to their promise to exempt the 1st. million

John Wiggins, bath, banes

Why not go through a civil partnership ceremony? They are surely a "couple" in every meaningful sense of the word.

B dalcher, HITCHIN, HERTS,

Girls - just declare yourselves as a Gay couple and make Gordon wait for his wodge of cash.

Bry Barnes, Somerset, Uk

Utterly disgusting.

Liz, London,

Can't the sisters own the house as tenants in common, effectively making each of them equal and full owners of the property and thus avoiding IHT liability when one or the other dies as the house as there is nothing to inherit. This is what my sister and I have done when we bought a house together

Gabrielle, Leeds, UK

The Ladies deserve better treatment in a society which recognises rights of civil partnerships with same sex couples.
They should consider selling the property and spending the rest of their days on a cruise ships touring the warmer and friendlier seas.

Jack, Craigavon, Armagh

The Burdens' estate is more than the house. Your report of Sept 4 2006 said the house is £425k, 30 acres of leased-out farmland £125k and other property £325k. Total £875k.

If they have £437.5k each then IHT should only be £55k when one of them dies, leaving £820k. They are just being greedy.

Michael Smith, Southampton, UK

Is it not possible for the tax to be deferred until after the death of both sisters? If not, it ought to be, this is a ridiculous situation that needs to be changed. and one that probably affects many people from that generation. It's only tax after all.

P Webster-Brown, Alton, UK

I hope they decide to sell the house now - and spend, spend, spend to enjoy their 9th decade in the comfort that the taxman won't get it.

diana, derby,

This is appalling in anyone's book but clealry not the 4 pea headed judges (1 of them not surprisingly british!)
Clearly corruption runs deep in the corridors of governent that they need to STEAL £300,000 from two old dears on the death of one of them.
Gt Britain's tax laws are filthy!

Shaun, Newcastle, Tyneside

It is appalling that perversions of human nature should have precedence over such a longstanding arrangement between siblings. Both homosexual civil relationships and the sisters should be exempt from the single inheritance tax rules.

David Bachauer, Manchester , UK

It really is time this nonsensical tax was scrapped altogether. At the very least the value of the main house should not count towards it.

Can some top tax lawyer not find a way out for the Burdens?

Roger Tilbury, Worthing,