Betfred Brothers Top UK's Biggest Taxpayers with £400m Contribution
The billionaire brothers behind gambling giant Betfred have emerged as the UK's biggest taxpayers, according to the newly published Sunday Times 2026 Tax List. Fred and Peter Done paid an astonishing £400.1 million in tax, with approximately half of this substantial sum relating to gambling duty from their extensive betting shop empire.
Prominent Figures Feature in Tax Rankings
The comprehensive list includes numerous high-profile individuals from various sectors. Sir Tim Martin, founder of the Wetherspoon's pub chain, occupies eighth position with a personal tax contribution estimated at just under £200 million. His company, JD Wetherspoon, contributed £837.1 million to public finances through various levies including corporation tax, business rates, and VAT - equating to more than £1 million per pub across their 794 venues.
In a revealing interview, the Brexit-supporting businessman offered his perspective on taxation. "I can't complain about the level of taxation really - that's a political issue," Martin stated. "Parties put forward their ideas and voters decide." He did, however, criticise the government for imposing VAT on pub meals when supermarkets enjoy exemption.
Celebrity Tax Contributions Revealed
The entertainment world is well represented on the list, with Harry Styles emerging as the highest-contributing celebrity at position 54, paying £24.7 million in tax. Most of this substantial sum relates to his touring and merchandise company, Erskine Records. The singer sits ten places ahead of fellow musician Ed Sheeran, who paid just under £20 million in tax on a £41 million dividend received last year.
Sheeran has been vocal about his commitment to UK taxation, stating: "I'll always pay tax in the UK because that's where I live." This sentiment contrasts with a growing trend among wealthy individuals relocating to lower-tax jurisdictions.
Youngest Contributor and Sporting Figures
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland holds the distinction of being the youngest person featured on the list at position 72. The Norwegian footballer earns a basic wage exceeding £500,000 per week, supplemented by at least an additional £10 million from image rights and bonus payments. His estimated tax bill stands at £16.9 million, which is less than half the £47.5 million reportedly paid by Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
Other notable inclusions span diverse industries. The Timpson family behind the shoe-mending empire, technology entrepreneur James Dyson, and Douglas and Iain Anderson of GAP Group - which provides fencing and toilet facilities for concerts and festivals - all feature prominently. The top ten also includes financiers Alex Gerko, Chris Rokos and Peter Hargreaves, alongside retailers Mike Ashley of Sports Direct, Tom Morris of Home Bargains, the Perkins family who own Specsavers, and Stephen Rubin, who holds significant stakes in JD Sports and the company behind Speedo.
Wealth Migration and Tax Contributions
The publication of this eighth edition coincides with a noticeable exodus of wealthy individuals from the UK to offshore destinations. Five figures from the previous year's league table have relocated to Jersey or Guernsey, four to Monaco, and two to Portugal, with others establishing residence in Cyprus, Dubai, and the United States.
This migration may have contributed to changes in tax contribution patterns. Official HMRC data indicates that the UK's highest-earning 1% - those with pre-tax incomes exceeding £219,000 - currently contribute approximately 26.6% of all UK income tax. This represents a decline from 30.7% in 2021-22, partly attributable to frozen income tax thresholds and potentially influenced by wealthy individuals moving to lower-tax jurisdictions.
Despite this trend, some prominent taxpayers remain committed to the UK. Peter Done, 78, emphasised his dedication to Britain, telling the newspaper: "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 Calculation
The Tax List rankings provide a comprehensive but not exhaustive account of taxes paid. They incorporate corporation tax, dividend tax, capital gains tax, income tax, selected payroll taxes, along with gambling and alcohol duties, based on the most recently filed company accounts up to 10 January.
Tax attributable to individuals is calculated proportionally according to their ownership share in relevant companies. Personal taxation is excluded if an individual is not listed as resident in the UK, reflecting the growing trend of wealthy migration that the list documents.
