Richard Curtis, director of Love Actually, is among the signatories of the letter More than 100 wealthy Britons have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to raise taxes on the country's richest people, arguing they should contribute more to help fund public services and the government's ambitious domestic agenda. The appeal comes as Burnham faces mounting pressure to explain how he will pay for a string of costly pledges, with opposition figures questioning whether his plans can be delivered without higher taxes or increased borrowing. High-Profile Names Join Campaign The letter, organised by Patriotic Millionaires UK, is signed by former England footballer Gary Lineker, screenwriter Richard Curtis, crime novelist Val McDermid and former City trader Gary Stevenson. Addressing the Prime Minister directly, the signatories wrote: "We want you to tax us. We can afford it." They argued the burden should fall on extreme wealth rather than working people, describing themselves as "patriotic" and committed to a fairer Britain. Gary Lineker Wealth Tax Back in Focus Burnham has previously refused to rule out a wealth tax, suggesting earlier this month that his government may "ask for a little more" from those with the broadest shoulders. Campaigners are calling for a 2% annual levy on wealth above £10 million, claiming it could generate around £24 billion a year. They also support reforms to capital gains tax, including aligning it more closely with income tax rates, which they argue could raise billions more. Funding Questions Intensify The intervention comes just days after Burnham unveiled measures including a £2 cap on most bus fares in England and an £850 million cut to electricity bills through the removal of VAT. The government says the energy policy will be partly funded by scrapping the previous administration's national digital ID scheme. Critics, however, argue the projected savings fall short of covering the full cost of the tax cut, fuelling concerns over the sustainability of the government's spending plans. Pressure Builds on Downing Street Conservative shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accused ministers of making expensive promises without fully explaining how they will be financed, warning that Britain's public finances remain under significant strain. Supporters of a wealth tax argue the moment presents an opportunity to tackle inequality while generating new revenue for public services. Whether Burnham embraces that approach could become one of the defining economic decisions of his premiership. British millionaires call on Andy Burnham to tax their wealth
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