The Revd Neil Thorogood, Moderator of the United Reformed Church General Assembly has joined a coalition of 25 faith leaders and organisations, coordinated by JustMoney Movement, in releasing a letter to Chancellor John Healey calling for a reform of the tax system so the wealthiest pay their fair share, ahead of Wednesday’s Budget.
The group includes JustMoney Movement, the United Reformed Church, Rt Revd and Rt Hon Lord Rowan Williams of Oystermouth, Church of England bishops, leaders from the Methodist Church, Baptist Union, and Quakers in Britain, political economist Ann Pettifor, and other influential leaders, campaign groups and organisations.
This letter calls for a fairer tax system including fairer taxation of wealth to tackle poverty, inequality and the climate crisis, specifically:
- Introducing an annual wealth tax
- Reforming and equalising Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax
- Properly resourcing HMRC to close the tax gap and ensure wealth is taxed effectively
The letter argues that wealth is increasingly concentrated among the super-rich, while lower rates of tax on wealth than income and tax loopholes mean the wealthiest can pay proportionally less.
In the letter, signatories also say, “A fair tax system enables us to love our neighbours, stand alongside those who are most marginalised, fund public services and protect the natural world.”
Other signatories include Quakers in Britain, Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England; Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ann Pettifor, political economist; and representatives of Church Action on Poverty.
Campaign groups Patriotic Millionaires UK, Compass, Taxpayers Against Poverty; Faith for the Climate and Eco Dharma Network have also signed the letter.
The letter concludes: “Building a more stable UK economy must mean building a fairer society. As people of faith, we urge you to put justice, hope and solidarity at the heart of this Budget.”
Read the list of signatories and to read the letter in full. Page includes prayers points as the budget approaches.
Image: Sasun Bughdaryan/Unsplash.