Gary Lineker, the former footballer and "Match Of The Day" presenter, has reignited calls for millionaires to pay more tax, asserting that the "super wealthy" should contribute more to society. Lineker, 65, has joined the group Patriotic Millionaires UK, which comprises over 120 millionaires who have signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to implement a 2% wealth tax on assets exceeding £10 million.
During an appearance on Davina McCall's "Begin Again" podcast, Lineker questioned the resistance to tax hikes, particularly from billionaires, asking, "How much do they actually need?" He suggested that competition among the extremely wealthy leads to a desire to hoard assets, describing it as a "My dk's bigger than your dk" game. Lineker argued that an increased tax burden would not significantly impact the wealthiest individuals and questioned whether they would truly leave the country over a marginal decrease in their wealth.
Lineker stated that he has always paid "top, top-level tax" and is happy to do so, expressing belief that most wealthy individuals would contribute more if it were a legal requirement. He acknowledged that significant lobbying against such measures would likely occur from the super wealthy.
However, Lineker's advocacy for higher taxes has drawn sharp criticism due to his own past tax disputes. Court documents revealed a prolonged legal battle with the tax authorities over a £4.9 million bill. Between 2013 and 2018, Lineker reportedly resisted paying £3.62 million in income tax and £1.31 million in National Insurance related to his television work. The taxman had sought to reclassify him as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport, rather than a contractor paid through his company, Gary Lineker Media, which allowed for payment via dividends at a lower corporation tax rate.
Lineker ultimately won his appeal in 2023, with a judge ruling he was a freelancer. The tax authority appealed but settled the case in 2024. Prior to this, records indicate Lineker was involved in film financing schemes operated by Ingenious Media between 2003 and 2007, which offered substantial tax breaks. In 2016, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) deemed these schemes to be tax avoidance. Further reports from 2017 suggested Lineker may have avoided stamp duty on a Barbados property sale by purchasing it through an offshore firm.
Politicians have voiced strong opposition to Lineker's stance. Andrew Griffith, Tory shadow business secretary, accused Lineker of "gross hypocrisy," stating it was "unbelievable" he would engage in tax avoidance schemes while lecturing others. Maxwell Marlow, director at the Adam Smith Institute, called Lineker's calls an "absurd PR stunt," suggesting that if he and others wish to pay more tax, they should do so directly with HMRC. Reform Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick MP also highlighted Lineker's "breathtaking hypocrisy," noting his history of attempting to minimize his tax liabilities.