Ahead of the upcoming autumn budget, the Patriotic Millionaires UK campaign bus arrived in Stroud today, urging the government to tax wealth, not work.
The event was attended by Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, and Stephen Kinsella, highlighting the urgent need for fairer contributions from the super-rich to support communities struggling with public service cuts.
Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, and Stephen Kinsella attended the event to highlight the urgent need for fairer contributions from the super-rich.
Mr Vince, founder of Ecotricity and member of Patriotic Millionaires UK, said: “I would welcome a wealth tax in this budget – it’s the moral and logical thing to do.
“When millions of children are living in poverty, when one million don’t even have a bed to sleep in tonight, and working people can’t make ends meet, it’s only right that those with the most should contribute a little more. And we are talking a little – just 2%. We (I am one) would hardly notice it, but it would make a huge difference to our country and society.”
Mr Kinsella, a former lawyer and member of Patriotic Millionaires UK who lives in Stroud, said: “Up and down the country, libraries, swimming pools, youth centres and more are being boarded up because there’s not enough money to keep them running.
“Councils are having to make really difficult decisions and residents are losing important services, especially our young people. “Our communities need investment and that money should come from the super-rich – millionaires like us who have benefited from all the good things this country has offered us. Rather than squeeze hardworking families and small to medium-sized businesses even more, the Chancellor should put more of the burden on the wealthiest. We can afford it.”
Research from Patriotic Millionaires UK shows that since 2020, local councils have been forced to close public services at an alarming rate, including libraries, swimming pools, youth and children’s centres, depriving communities of vital support.
The group is calling for two key policy changes to raise £36 billion a year:
- Reform Capital Gains Tax to match income tax rates – raising £12 billion annually.
- Introduce a 2% wealth tax on assets over £10m – raising £24 billion annually and reducing reliance on taxing ordinary people.
The Patriotic Millionaires UK bus continues its week-long tour across the UK, visiting towns and cities including Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Oxford, and London.
Pictures and video by Matt Bigwood
