Gary Lineker has joined more than 100 British-based millionaires in calling on Andy Burnham to tax their wealth more, telling the new prime minister: “We can afford it.”
The group, organised by Patriotic Millionaires UK, includes screenwriter Richard Curtis, novelist Val McDermid and ex-City trader Gary Stevenson. Their letter states: “We want you to tax us. 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.”
Mr Burnham has already signalled he’s open to the idea, telling Lineker earlier this month that his government may “ask for a little more”. The most commonly proposed scheme – a 2 per cent levy on the richest households – could raise billions a year, according to campaigners.
But not everyone’s convinced. Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused the government of dodging basic questions on how its spending pledges – including a bus fare cap and an £850m energy bill tax cut – will actually be funded, warning: “You cannot be a government that goes out there and makes lots of spending commitments without being able to explain exactly how those commitments are going to be funded.”
So – should Burnham tax the super-rich more, or is it a step too far? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comments.
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