The UK needs to raise revenues and Wealth Taxes are much in the news, but they are complex, and politically volatile.

A voluntary wealth tax could address the need more urgently than a mandatory tax, for which there are well-signed Wealth Tax petitions. 

A voluntary wealth tax also empowers wealthy individuals to fund public service initiatives.

Early industrialists gifted land to create green spaces in urban areas and built libraries to improve the lives of workers. Many philanthropists and wealthy individuals agree with a wealth tax (see Patriotic Millionaires), but they do not have a formal way to contribute yet. 

I am not an expert, but the need for redistribution of wealth to address the UK's yawning inequality is stark. You might watch Gary Stevenson's Youtube for more on this.

A fully fledged (mandatory) wealth tax is a complex issue, which needs careful design, votes, legislation and time to get right, if it happens at all. Current ideas advocate the levy of 2% of assets over £10 million as the basic idea. So let's test it out!

We ask that the Treasury:

1. In the Autumn Statement, announce a sort-code and account at HMRC (like the National Insurance Contributions ones) so that wealthy people CAN contribute if they like. The payment reference can include the % they deem 'appropriate' and will provide a much-needed understanding of what the wealthy are willing to pay
2. Ring fence the £££ for an Inequality Fund, to scale up existing proven projects (e.g. School Improvements to close the North/South gap) and trial new ones
3. Train tax lawyers/accountants on how to include an 'extra-ordinary tax contribution' in their accounts, because wealthy people don't actually do their own taxes
4. Place a pink park bench in a public park for each contributor to acknowledge their contribution