Key facts
- Over 120 wealthy Britons signed an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
- The signatories are asking for increased taxes on the wealthiest individuals.
- The group Patriotic Millionaires supports a 2% tax on wealth exceeding £10 million.
- Notable signatories include Gary Lineker, Brian Eno, Richard Curtis, and Ian Gregg.
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch suggested Gary Lineker could pay more tax voluntarily.
Over 120 wealthy Britons, including former footballer Gary Lineker and music producer Brian Eno, have penned an open letter to the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, requesting higher taxes on their wealth. The initiative, organized by the group Patriotic Millionaires, argues that such a tax would contribute to a more equal society and facilitate a "devolution of wealth and power from the very richest."
The signatories clarified that the proposed tax would not affect those who earn their income through daily work, but rather target the wealth held by the richest individuals. The group specifically supports a 2% tax on wealth exceeding £10 million. They believe that this untapped capital could be invested back into the country's regions.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch responded to Gary Lineker's stance by suggesting he could voluntarily pay more tax by writing a check to the treasury. The letter from Patriotic Millionaires also stated that a majority of millionaires, according to their own poll, desire higher taxes on themselves, criticizing those who prioritize self-interest over national progress.