Open Letter Signed by High-Profile Millionaires
Gary Lineker, former England football player and Match of the Day host, has signed an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging the introduction of a 2 percent tax on individuals with assets worth at least ten million pounds. The letter, signed by over 100 millionaires, calls for the tax to fund public services and build a more equal society. Lineker stated, 'We want you to tax us. We can afford it.'
The letter comes as the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, signals potential wealth tax measures to support unfunded spending policies. Lineker, who previously settled a £4.9 million tax dispute with HMRC in 2024, has been vocal about the need for the richest to pay their fair share. 'Paying your fair share is a basic British value,' he said.
Lineker, who left the BBC in May 2025 amid an antisemitism controversy, now hosts his podcast 'The Rest is Football' and has a streaming deal with Netflix. His podcasting company, Goalhanger, grew 321 percent annually over the last three years, according to the Sunday Times 100. Lineker has also expanded his portfolio to include politics, history, and entertainment content.
In his public comments, Lineker emphasized the need for a 'fairer, better, more hopeful Britain.' He argued that extreme wealth should be taxed more heavily, not income earned through daily work. 'Our fantastic country deserves all of us to get behind it,' he said. The open letter insists, 'We’re not talking about higher taxes on those who get up and go to work every day, but on the very richest.'
Reactions from the City
One City figure quipped that Lineker should 'Stick to Football,' referencing the title of a rival podcast. Yet, his advocacy for wealth taxation has drawn attention from both supporters and critics. Lineker's recent career move from television to podcasting has seen his influence grow, and his stance on public policy continues to shape public discourse.