More than 100 British-based millionaires, organised by campaign group Patriotic Millionaires UK, have written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging him to introduce higher taxes on the wealth of Britain's richest people. Signatories include broadcaster Gary Lineker, screenwriter Richard Curtis, novelist Val McDermid and former City trader Gary Stevenson, who argue they can afford to pay more and that any levy should target wealth rather than earned income. Burnham has already suggested he is open to the idea, telling Lineker earlier this month that his government may need to "ask for a little more" from the wealthy.

The most widely floated proposal is a 2 per cent levy on the richest households, which campaigners say could raise billions of pounds annually. However, the plan has drawn criticism from the Conservatives, with shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride accusing the government of failing to explain how its spending commitments – including a bus fare cap and an £850 million energy bill tax cut – would be funded without a clear tax plan. The article invites readers to vote in a poll on whether Burnham should proceed with the wealth tax.