‘Tax us more’ – Millionaires in UK writes PM Andy Burnham

More than 120 wealthy Britons, including former footballer Gary Lineker and renowned music producer Brian Eno, have called on the United Kingdom’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to introduce higher taxes on the country’s richest citizens.

In an open letter organised by the Patriotic Millionaires campaign group, the signatories argued that Britain’s wealthiest individuals should contribute more to support public services and reduce inequality.

“We can afford it. We’re not talking about higher taxes on those who get up and go to work for their income every day, but on the very richest whose income is derived from the wealth they hold,” the letter stated.

The group proposed a 2 per cent annual tax on personal wealth exceeding £10 million, describing it as a practical way to generate additional revenue for national development while promoting a fairer society.

According to the signatories, greater taxation of extreme wealth would help fund essential public services and encourage a more equitable distribution of resources across the country.

The campaign also called for what it described as a new era of wealth and power redistribution, arguing that concentrated wealth should be reinvested to benefit communities throughout the UK.

Although individuals can already make voluntary financial contributions to the UK Treasury through an official donation scheme, the campaign insists that voluntary donations are no substitute for a structured wealth tax.

Responding to the appeal, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said wealthy individuals were free to pay more tax if they wished.

“Gary Lineker is very welcome to pay more tax; he can write a cheque to the Treasury. No one is stopping him,” she said.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds also welcomed the willingness of wealthy individuals to contribute more but noted that any significant tax reforms would only be considered during the government’s annual Budget process.

“I welcome the fact that people of good means are saying that they want to pay more. They can pay more,” Reynolds said, referring to the Treasury’s voluntary donation facility.

Among other prominent signatories are Notting Hill director Richard Curtis, former Greggs managing director Ian Gregg, Scottish crime novelist Val McDermid and former financial trader turned equality campaigner Gary Stevenson.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lincolnshire, Brian Eno argued that the current tax system favours wealthy individuals.

“If you’re wealthy, you don’t pay very much tax but hire a clever bunch of accountants who somehow get you off that,” he said.

Eno also dismissed concerns that a wealth tax would trigger a mass departure of millionaires from Britain, pointing to Scandinavian countries where relatively high tax rates have not led to significant emigration.

“That is the story that has always been told by the rich to avoid this, but in fact people don’t leave that much. Of course a few people will,” he said.

Former England striker Gary Lineker had previously questioned Prime Minister Burnham over his opposition to a wealth tax, suggesting that asking the country’s richest citizens to contribute more would be justified.

Lineker, who reportedly earned about £1.3 million annually before leaving the BBC and is estimated to have a net worth of around £30 million, has been a longstanding supporter of higher taxes on extreme wealth.

The latest appeal follows similar campaigns in recent years, with the Patriotic Millionaires maintaining that most millionaires support higher taxes on themselves to help build a stronger economy, improve public services and reduce poverty.

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