“While the wealth of those at the very top continues to skyrocket, millions of people have been forced to the brink and are having to make impossible choices between heating their homes and putting food on the table.”
Richard Burgon MP
More than 10,000 people have already signed an open letter from Labour MP Richard Burgon, calling on the Prime Minister and Chancellor to “Tax Wealth at the Autumn Budget – Fund Emergency Action on the Cost-of-Living Crisis.”
The open letter, launched just days ago, demands fair taxes on the very wealthiest to fund a Social Emergency Fund — providing immediate help for households struggling with soaring costs of food, rent, and energy.
Speaking about the campaign, Richard Burgon MP said:
“While the wealth of those at the very top continues to skyrocket, millions of people have been forced to the brink and are having to make impossible choices between heating their homes and putting food on the table.
“It doesn’t have to be like this. If we tax the wealthiest fairly, we can create an emergency package of support to help people hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis.
“We have the resources in this country to ensure everyone gets the help they need — it’s simply a question of political will.
“The Government must use the Budget to show whose side it is on and deliver the support ordinary people are crying out for.”
The open letter, which will be delivered to the Prime Minister and Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, sets out three key measures to ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share:
- A 2% annual Wealth Tax on assets over £10 million, raising up to £24 billion a year;
- Equalising Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax, raising up to £12 billion a year; and
- Clamping down on tax loopholes and abuses used by the super-rich and large corporations.
Even under conservative estimates of the amounts raised by tackling tax avoidance, this package could raise over £40 billion — enough to fund a major emergency package to support struggling families.
Burgon’s call comes amid growing public anger over inequality and government inaction. Polling shows that 75% of the public back a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million, reflecting widespread support for a fairer tax system that asks the richest to contribute more.
As Burgon argues, the resources are there — it’s political choices that have left millions struggling. The question now is whether the Government will side with the wealthy few, or take the bold action needed to deliver real help to the many.
- Add your name to Richard Burgon’s open letter to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor: Tax Wealth at the Autumn Budget – Fund Emergency Action on the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
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