By Karen Peattie
BUSINESS leaders Lord Willie Haughey and Sir Tom Hunter have said people should be encouraged to be successful and not be penalised for making money during the pandemic.
Discussing the recently published Sunday Times Rich list 2021, Sir Tom – at number 221 in the list – said he fully supported entrepreneurship and the creation of businesses and wealth as “it is what makes the world go round”.
The Rich List identifies 171 UK billionaires, an increase of 24 on last year.
Asked by Donald Martin, host of the Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey if the country should be imposing a temporary wealth tax on those who have profited from the Covid pandemic, Sir Tom said people with an entrepreneurial spirit should not be held back “as long as they pay all their taxes”.
Lord Haughey agreed, stating: “The more billionaires the better as long as they are creating jobs and paying their taxes – the more the merrier.”
The show also spoke about the Giving List – this year topped by footballer and food poverty activist Marcus Rashford – which Sir Tom revealed had started after he and Ewan Hunter, chief executive of his Hunter Foundation, approached The Sunday Times 20 years ago.
“We’ve given £138 million to good causes over 20 years now,” he said.
“I got a bit fed up seeing my name only on the Rich List,” Sir Tom continued. “We are not without ego but I want to be known for what I did with my money, not the number of zeros after my name.”
Lord Haughey also spoke about his City Charitable Trust which he set up a number of years ago with a target to give £1m a year to good causes.
The Go Radio Business Show features advice and insight from Sir Tom and Lord Haughey, broadcasting at 11am on Sundays. It is taking a break over the summer.
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