Oxfam polling reveals three quarters of UK public back Gary Lineker's call to make him pay more tax

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More than 100 UK-based millionaires - including Gary Lineker, Julia Davies, musician Brian Eno, Ian Gregg, and Gary Stevenson - have signed a letter urging the new Prime Minister to fairly tax their wealth.  

We need a wealth tax now

Oxfam welcomes the move, saying that taxing extreme wealth is not about "punishing success" it's about making right political choices to help raise the extra revenue need to invest in the foundations of a fair society and economy, while reducing inequality both at home and abroad.  

Recent Oxfam polling carried out by YouGov found that 76 per cent of people across Britain support this fair wealth tax, with 71 per cent believing the economy mainly works in the interests of the wealthy. 

A 2 per cent tax on assets over £10 million would affect just 20,000 people – around 0.04 per cent of the UK population – while raising an estimated £24 billion every year to help tackle poverty, rebuild public services and reduce inequality. 

Campaigners also say a wider package of reforms, including of existing taxes on wealth such as Capital Gains Tax, would raise even more additional resource.  

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When more than 100 millionaires are publicly calling to pay more tax, it's clear the debate has shifted. Their message reflects what the public has been saying for some time: our tax system needs to do more to ensure extreme wealth is taxed fairly to reduce inequality both at home and abroad. At a time when we're repeatedly told there isn't enough money for the NHS, schools, social care, and the aid budget, asking those with assets worth more than £10 million to contribute a little more is a fair and practical solution.”

Jean McLean, Chief Influencing Officer at Oxfam GB

10 Downing Street by Sandy Gerrard

Image of No 20 Downing Street with the words 'Tell the new PM, Act Now'
Tell the new PM: Act Now
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"The scale of wealth inequality has reached extraordinary levels. The richest 56 people in the UK now own more wealth than the poorest 27 million people combined. Globally, billionaire wealth has reached a record $18.3 trillion, while half the world still lives in poverty, and one in four people are regularly skipping meals because they can’t afford to eat.”

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Photo: Alexi Rosenfeld/Shutterstock

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This isn't about punishing success. It's about making political choices that ensure our economy works for everyone, not just those at the very top. And it's something three quarters of the UK public support. The Prime Minister has promised to deliver a ‘circuit breaker’ moment for Britain, now he must deliver it. When even millionaires are saying 'tax us', politicians should seize the opportunity to build a fairer and more prosperous economy where those with the greatest wealth make a fairer contribution to the society from which they have benefited.”

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Who supports a wealth tax?

  1. Three quarters of the public (76%) support a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million.
  2. 71% also believe the current economic system works mainly in the interests of the very wealthy rather than ordinary people. 

Source YouGov Polling. Total sample size was 2,167 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 5th - 6th May 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

What will it raise?

Estimated revenue from a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million: £24 billion annually. Source: Arun Advani tax reform modelling.

Press contact

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