Betfred Founders Crowned UK's Highest Taxpayers in Sunday Times List
The billionaire siblings behind betting giant Betfred, Fred and Peter Done, have been named Britain's biggest taxpayers for the first time, according to the annual Sunday Times Tax List. The list, which ranks the UK's 100 largest taxpayers, saw the Done brothers contribute an estimated £400.1 million in tax over the past year, a significant increase from £273.4 million the previous year.
Diverse Range of Taxpayers Featured
The rankings revealed a diverse array of individuals, including musicians, entrepreneurs, and sporting stars. Former One Direction star Harry Styles made his debut on the list with a contribution of £24.7 million, while Premier League footballers Erling Haaland and Mo Salah also appeared for the first time, with estimated payments of £16.9 million and £14.5 million respectively.
Other notable names included Harry Potter creator JK Rowling, ranked 36th with a £47.5 million bill, and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, placed 64th with a £19.9 million tax contribution. The list also featured business figures from the North West, such as the Morris family behind Home Bargains, Sir John Timpson and family, and Together founder Henry Moser.
Impact of Tax Policy Changes
Robert Watts, who compiled the list, noted that the total tax contributed by the top 100 taxpayers rose to £5.758 billion from £4.985 billion the previous year. He attributed this increase largely to higher corporation tax rates implemented by the Labour Government, which aimed to fund increased welfare expenditure.
Watts commented, "This is an increasingly diverse list, with Premier League footballers and world famous pop stars lining up alongside aristocrats and business owners selling pies, pillows and baby milk." He added, "This year there's been a big jump in the amount of tax we've identified – largely because of higher corporation tax rates."
Offshore Moves Amid Tax Hikes
Despite the overall increase in contributions, the list highlighted that six taxpayers have moved offshore over the past year, reportedly to avoid higher levies under Labour or following the abolition of non-dom status. These individuals include Revolut founder Nik Storonsky, Wren Kitchens founder Malcolm Healey, and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
Watts observed, "One in nine of the people who make the tax list are no longer listed as resident here in the UK, instead choosing to live in Morocco, Dubai, Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, the United States and the Channel Islands." He suggested that while these individuals still contribute through their businesses, the Treasury could have raised more if they had remained in the UK.
The Done brothers, who founded Betfred in Warrington in 1967, have expanded their interests to include property development at Salboy and HR giant Peninsula. Their top position on the list underscores the significant tax contributions from the betting and business sectors in the UK.
