Betfred Founders Top UK Taxpayer Rankings with Staggering £400m Contribution
The billionaire brothers behind gambling giant Betfred have emerged as the UK's biggest taxpayers, according to the latest Sunday Times Tax List. Fred and Peter Done paid an astonishing £400.1 million in tax, with approximately half of this sum relating to gambling duty from their extensive betting shop empire.
Prominent Figures Feature in Top 100 Tax Contributors
The comprehensive rankings reveal a diverse array of high-profile individuals contributing substantial sums to the public purse. Sir Tim Martin, founder of the Wetherspoon's pub chain, secured eighth position with a personal tax contribution approaching £200 million. His business empire paid over £1 million in tax per pub, with the 794-venue chain contributing £837.1 million through various levies including corporation tax, business rates, and VAT.
Martin, a vocal Brexit supporter, offered measured commentary on his tax obligations, stating: "I can't complain about the level of taxation really – that's a political issue. Parties put forward their ideas and voters decide." He did, however, criticise the government for applying VAT to pub meals while supermarkets enjoy exemptions.
Celebrity and Sports Star Contributions Highlighted
Music superstar Harry Styles emerged as the highest-contributing celebrity, ranking 54th with a £24.7 million tax payment, primarily through his touring and merchandise company Erskine Records. Fellow musician Ed Sheeran followed closely, paying just under £20 million in tax on a £41 million dividend received last year, reaffirming his commitment to UK taxation by stating: "I'll always pay tax in uk coz that's where I live."
Manchester City's Norwegian striker Erling Haaland made his debut on the list as the youngest contributor at just 23 years old. Despite earning a basic wage exceeding £500,000 weekly plus substantial image rights and bonus payments exceeding £10 million, his estimated tax bill of £16.9 million places him 72nd in the rankings. This figure represents less than half the contribution of Harry Potter author JK Rowling, whose tax bill reportedly reached £47.5 million.
Wealth Migration and Tax Contribution Trends
The publication of this eighth edition coincides with notable migration patterns among the UK's wealthiest individuals. Five figures from the previous year's list have relocated to Jersey or Guernsey, while four now reside in Monaco and two in Portugal. Additional individuals have established residency in Cyprus, Dubai, and the United States.
Despite this trend, 78-year-old Peter Done expressed firm commitment to remaining in Britain, declaring: "We owe this country. I feel there is an obligation for people that have made the money in that country to pay the tax in that country. Fred and myself are stopping here."
Methodology and Broader Tax Context
The Tax List rankings, compiled from the most recently filed company accounts up to 10 January, incorporate corporation tax, dividend tax, capital gains tax, income tax, selected payroll taxes, plus gambling and alcohol duties. Individual tax contributions are calculated proportionally based on company ownership shares, with personal taxation excluded for non-UK residents.
HMRC data reveals that the UK's highest-earning 1% – individuals with pre-tax incomes exceeding £219,000 – contribute approximately 26.6% of all income tax during the current tax year. This represents a decline from 30.7% in 2021-22, attributed primarily to frozen income tax thresholds and potential impacts from wealthy individuals relocating to lower-tax jurisdictions.
The comprehensive list features numerous other notable contributors including the Timpson family of shoe-repair fame, technology entrepreneur James Dyson, and Douglas and Iain Anderson of GAP Group, which supplies fencing and sanitation facilities for major events. The top ten further includes prominent financiers Alex Gerko, Chris Rokos and Peter Hargreaves, alongside retail magnates Mike Ashley of Sports Direct, Tom Morris of Home Bargains, the Perkins family behind Specsavers, and Stephen Rubin, who holds significant stakes in JD Sports and Speedo's parent company.
