Join Nick Wright and Emma Chamberlain for an expert discussion on wealth taxes in the UK. Emma, a barrister and visiting professor at Oxford and the LSE, was a commissioner for the 2020 Wealth Tax Commission.
This episode explores why the Commission ultimately recommended against annual wealth taxes, the challenges of implementing a one-off wealth tax, and how the UK's approach to taxing capital compares internationally. They discuss the need for comprehensive reform of capital taxes (CGT, IHT, council tax) rather than piecemeal changes, and why political consensus is essential for sustainable tax policy.
Key insights include:
Key topics include:
-Intro
-Origins of the Wealth Tax Commission
-Historical Attempts and Lessons Learned Exploring Denis Healey’s 1970s wealth tax plans and why early efforts failed.
-The Covid Context and Public Perception
-Defining a Wealth Tax
-Annual vs One-Off Wealth Taxes
-Broader Tax Reform & Capital Taxes Discussion
-The Need for Systemic Reform Challenges
-Fairness and Tax Equity
-Public Perception, Avoidance & Final Reflections
Essential listening for understanding current debates about wealth taxation and capital tax reform in the UK.
🔗 Resources mentioned:
Wealth Tax Commission website: https://www.ukwealth.tax/
Upcoming LSE event with Emma Chamberlain: 1st December: https://www.pumptax.com/events/emma-chamberlain-speaking-at-lse-on-the-wealth-tax-commission-5-years-on/