Watch the UK's greatest fortunes grow in real time. Then see what a fair wealth tax could mean for everyone.
The Green Party proposes a modest wealth tax: 1% annually on assets above £10 million, and 2% on assets above £1 billion. Here's what it would raise — just from the individuals shown above — since you loaded this page.
The wealth tax could raise £15–25 billion per year, enough to fund 600,000 additional NHS operations annually.
Revenue could build over 100,000 new social homes every year, tackling the housing crisis head-on.
Invest in renewable energy, insulate millions of homes, and create hundreds of thousands of green jobs.
Understanding the mechanics of wealth concentration is key to understanding why a wealth tax is necessary — and fair.
Billionaire wealth doesn't sit in bank accounts — it's invested in assets that grow. Stocks, property, and private equity typically return 5–10% per year. On a fortune of £10 billion, that's £500 million to £1 billion in returns every single year — without lifting a finger.
Unlike wages, which are taxed at source through PAYE and National Insurance, investment returns are taxed at far lower rates — or deferred indefinitely through structures like trusts and holding companies.
At a conservative 5% annual return, a £10 billion fortune generates:
£500,000,000 per year → £1,369,863 per day → £57,078 per hour → £951 per minute → £15.85 per second
That means in the time it takes you to read this paragraph — roughly 20 seconds — someone with £10 billion has passively earned over £300. More than many workers earn in a full day.
Wealth inequality isn't just a snapshot — it's a self-reinforcing cycle. Larger fortunes generate larger returns, which create even larger fortunes. Meanwhile, those without assets face rising rents, stagnant wages, and the erosion of public services.
Without intervention, the gap between the wealthiest and everyone else will continue to widen. This isn't about punishing success — it's about ensuring the economy works for everyone, not just those who already have the most.
The Green Party's proposed wealth tax is deliberately modest. At 1% on assets above £10 million and 2% above £1 billion, it would affect fewer than 0.1% of the population.
For context: if you had £1 billion and earned 5% returns (£50 million per year), a 2% wealth tax would cost you £20 million — but you'd still be £30 million richer each year. Your wealth would still grow. You'd still be a billionaire. You'd just be contributing a fairer share to the society that enabled your success.
The Green Party's manifesto sets out a clear plan to create a fairer economy by taxing excessive wealth and investing in public services and the green transition. Here are the key proposals:
These measures could raise an additional £50–70 billion per year by the end of the Parliament — transforming our public services and funding the green transition.