A BBC Question Time audience member has been ridiculed for claiming he is “not even in the top 50 per cent of British earners,” despite earning more than £80,000 a year.
The topical debate show, which took place in Bolton last night, saw Labour candidate Richard Burgon grilled by spectators just hours after the launch of his party’s manifesto.
Jeremy Corbyn’s pledge to increase taxes for the top five per cent of earners has sparked criticism in some circles, with one man in last night’s audience venting his outrage at the plans.
"I am one of them people that he will tax more and I am nowhere near in the top five per cent,” the disgruntled participant insisted.
“You're not going after the billionaires, you're going after the employees where it's easy money because it's PAYE. I have no choice,” he said, pointing his finger at Mr Burgeon.
The Leeds East candidate and shadow justice secretary explained: “We’re not going to raise income tax for anybody except for the top 5 per cent of earners, so we're not going to increase your income tax.”
“Well you are,” the man responded. “I've read your policy - its above £80,000 - and I am nowhere near in the top five per cent, let me tell you.
“I'm not even in the top 50 per cent.”
His comments prompted host Fiona Bruce to clarify whether he did, indeed, earn more than £80,000 a year.
He admitted that he did, saying: “Yes”, but added: “And I'm not in the top five per cent.”
However, the audience which previously nodded in agreement with his criticism, began murmuring: “Yes you are.”
The man’s comments have since divided opinion on Twitter, with one user commenting: “THIS “I earn £80,000 I’m not in the top 5%” GUY DOESNT UNDERSTAND WHAT TOP 5% of earners means.”
“Bolton he is shaming you on national TV. Good heavens. #LabourManifesto #BBCQT.”
Another user tweeted: “He earns almost 6 times what my single mother of 2 raised me and my sister on. This man has no right to turn around play any kind of victim. No right.”
However, prominent barrister Jo Maugham QC did offer some defence of the man: “I'm not playing a violin for him - about 97% have it worse - but it does tell a story about how all the gains are going to an infinitesimally small number of people and how (in a way) everyone else can be cross with justification.”
The @BBCRealityCheck Twitter account addressed the issue on Friday morning, saying that HMRC figures showed that a salary of £75,300 in 2016-2017 put people in the top five per cent of earners.
The Labour manifesto revealed a planned splurge on infrastructure and public services, which Mr Corbyn said would be covered by tax rises for the top five per cent of earners.
The party leader says funding would be generated by a tax rise for people earning over £80,000 as well as boosting corporation tax by five per cent to 26 per cent, though there have been questions over whether the latter could garner half the proposed £83 billion extra in taxes it is suggested it would.
Last night's contentious episode of Question Time is followed by a Leaders Special tonight, which will see Mr Corbyn go head-to-head with Boris Johnson, Nicola Sturgeon and Jo Swinson.
