Gary Lineker, the former footballer and television presenter, is among 120 wealthy individuals who have signed a letter urging the new British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to increase taxes on extreme wealth. The letter, organized by a group called Patriotic Millionaires UK, states, "We are proud to pay and here to stay."
Lineker, whose wealth is estimated at £30 million, said that paying one's "fair share" is a fundamental British value. He argued that ordinary people are already overburdened with taxes, while the wealthiest can afford to contribute more. "To live up to our national values our new government must raise taxes on extreme levels of wealth for a fairer, better, more hopeful Britain," Lineker stated.
The signatories, which include musician Brian Eno, crime writer Val McDermid, and economist Gary Stevenson, specified that they do not want higher taxes on individuals who work daily. Instead, they advocate for increased taxes on income derived from accumulated wealth.
The letter suggests that "extreme wealth sitting idle in the hands of a few" should be utilized to reduce inequality and enhance public services. It concludes with the call, "It's time to tax us, the super rich."
While the letter does not detail specific policy proposals, there have been ongoing calls from some political factions for an annual levy on the assets of the super-rich. Academics have recently suggested that a 2 percent charge on assets exceeding £100 million could generate £10 billion annually.
Prime Minister Burnham was asked by Lineker last week about the possibility of a wealth tax. Burnham responded that he was "not going rule things out right now" and acknowledged the need for "a greater sense of fairness."