A group of 120 wealthy Britons, including Gary Lineker and Brian Eno, have signed an open letter calling for higher taxes on the richest individuals to help fund national investment.

A group of 120 millionaires, including former footballer Gary Lineker and musician Brian Eno, has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham requesting that the government implement higher taxes on the wealthiest citizens. Organized by the group Patriotic Millionaires, the letter argues that the country's richest individuals should contribute more to support a more equal society and provide capital for investment.

Proposed Wealth Tax and Government Response

The Patriotic Millionaires group is advocating for a 2% tax on wealth exceeding £10 million. The letter states that the signatories are willing to pay more, arguing that success requires investment from the country's untouched capital. Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously suggested he might need to ask for more tax revenue, though he did not explicitly commit to a wealth tax before taking office. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Emma Reynolds stated that while she welcomes the willingness of wealthy individuals to pay more, any significant tax changes would be addressed during a Budget. She noted that individuals currently have the option to make voluntary donations to the Treasury.

Signatories and Public Reaction

In addition to Lineker and Eno, other notable signatories include filmmaker Richard Curtis, former Greggs managing director Ian Gregg, author Val McDermid, and campaigner Gary Stevenson. Brian Eno told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that the current tax system is overly generous to the wealthy, allowing them to avoid taxes through accounting measures. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch responded to the letter by stating that Lineker is free to write a check to the Treasury if he wishes to pay more. Gary Lineker, who was previously the BBC's highest-paid presenter, has a reported net worth of £30 million.