MORE than 100 UK-based millionaires have signed a letter urging Andy Burnham to tax their wealth.
The "Proud to Pay" letter to the new Prime Minister was organised by Patriotic Millionaires UK and has been signed by celebrities including former England striker Gary Lineker and musician Brian Eno.
“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,” the letter reads.
Lineker added: “Our fantastic country deserves all of us to get behind it. I’m proud to stand with people across the UK who want to live in a more equal society.
“Paying your fair share is a basic British value, but so many ordinary people are already paying more than they can afford. Our richest people can do more and most want to. 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.”
It comes as polling from Patriotic Millionaires UK has shown that 88% of UK millionaires are proud to live in the UK and 80% of UK millionaires support a 2% tax on wealth over £10 million.
It also comes amid backing from the public for increasing taxes on the very richest as well.
Patriotic Millionaires UK founder Julia Davies said: “This is a fresh opportunity for our country. A chance for the Prime Minister to help rebalance power, reduce the shocking levels of wealth inequality which intensifies the cost of living crisis, and raise much-needed revenue for our public services, improving life for everyone.
"We millionaires are here to be taxed more and we urge our new PM to grab this opportunity with both hands and tax our wealth.”
The open letter to the Prime Minister goes on to add: “As you decentralise political power, you should also disperse economic power.
"Extreme wealth sitting idle in the hands of a few can be put to work: reducing inequality, investing in sustainable jobs, strengthening hospitals, schools and social care, supporting entrepreneurs with the skills and infrastructure they need, and giving small businesses access to affordable finance. Our wealth is our country’s secret weapon - let’s get serious about using it.”
