Faarea Masud

A group of 120 wealthy Britons, including public figures such as Gary Lineker and Brian Eno, has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to introduce higher taxes on fortunes over £10m. Organised by Patriotic Millionaires, the letter argues that increased taxation of the richest would support investment and reduce inequality. Burnham has previously signalled he may consider higher taxes, though without committing to a wealth tax. Signatories include Richard Curtis and Ian Gregg, and the group says most millionaires support paying more tax according to its polling.

Virgin Media was fined £28m after Ofcom found it had hindered customers from cancelling contracts through call‑dropping, unnecessary transfers and long holds. Ofcom concluded that millions of calls were likely mishandled over several years and said the company’s commission scheme encouraged such behaviour. The penalty, reduced after Virgin Media admitted the failings, is the largest imposed by the regulator for direct consumer harm. Ofcom criticised the company for not fully cooperating with the investigation.