Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the government to ensure that British tax exiles living in Dubai contribute to the cost of their protection by the Armed Forces. Speaking in the Commons on Monday, he singled out “washed-up old footballers and tax exiles” who avoid UK taxes while expecting military support in times of crisis.
Davey’s comments came as the UK launched an operation to assist at least 200,000 British nationals in the Middle East amid escalating conflict. He asked Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer whether he agreed that expatriates in tax havens should pay their fair share to fund defence.
Among those named was broadcaster Isabel Oakeshott, fiancée of Reform UK leader Richard Tice, who moved to Dubai in 2024. Responding to the criticism, Oakeshott told TalkTV that she and other exiles still contribute significantly more tax than the average person, and that they are not requesting rescue.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over tax avoidance and the cost of protecting British citizens abroad, with Davey arguing that those who choose to live in low-tax jurisdictions should not expect free military protection funded by UK taxpayers.
