Gary Lineker is among 120 millionaires who have written to new prime minister Andy Burnham demanding higher taxes on the wealthy. In an open letter organised by Patriotic Millionaires, the former England footballer, music producer Brian Eno, screenwriter Richard Curtis and former Greggs managing director Ian Gregg told Burnham: "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 urges a "devolution of wealth and power from the very richest" and claims it would lead to a more equal society. The group supports a 2% tax on wealth over £10m. "Millionaires are a patriotic bunch," the letter states. "We love this country and we want it to succeed. But success requires investment and a primary source of untouched capital investment is sitting with us, in untaxed potential."
“Gary Lineker joins 120 millionaires in letter to PM Andy Burnham asking for higher taxes on wealth.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch responded: "Gary Lineker is very welcome to pay more tax, he can write a cheque to the Treasury, no one is stopping him." A donation facility already allows people to give money or stocks voluntarily to the Treasury. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds said she "welcomes the fact that people of good means are saying that they want to pay more" but added that major tax changes would be announced during a Budget.
Burnham did not rule out a wealth tax when asked by Lineker a few days before becoming prime minister, suggesting he may have "to ask for a little more" tax at some point. Lineker, formerly the BBC's highest paid presenter on around £1.3m a year and worth a reported £30m, won an appeal in 2023 against a £4.9m tax bill from HMRC.
The renewed call echoes a similar campaign in previous years. Patriotic Millionaires said its own poll found a majority of millionaires wanted higher taxes on themselves. Whether Burnham will introduce a wealth tax remains an open question.