A recent report by the Sunday Times has estimated the highest tax payers in the UK, with notable names such as JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran making the list. The 100 contributors were ranked based on their contributions to public finances, including tax paid on business profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income. The list revealed that two-thirds of the individuals paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The top spot on the list was taken by Alex Gerko, a Russian-born billionaire and financial trader. He paid an estimated £664.5m in taxes for the 2023 financial year, making him the largest taxpayer. Gerko, who founded algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets, renounced his Russian nationality and gained British citizenship in 2016. He is considered a rock star in the world of algorithmic trading.

Other notable names on the list include Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive, and Denise Coates, the boss of gambling firm Bet365. Ecclestone, a new entry on the list, paid £650m in tax and penalties to HMRC to avoid jail. Coates came in third on the list.

The report also highlighted that some individuals and families voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper. However, it is important to note that HMRC does not comment on individual cases, so the estimates provided by the Times cannot be verified.

The list revealed that more than a quarter of the entries were based in London, with another eight from the south-east of England. Thirteen individuals came from the Midlands, 11 from the south-west of England, and 10 from Scotland. It is worth mentioning that the top rate of tax in Scotland will increase from 47% to 48% starting from April.

In terms of celebrities, author JK Rowling ranked 31st on the list, having paid £40m in UK taxes in the past year. Singer Ed Sheeran followed closely behind at 32nd place, contributing over £36m in UK tax. The report also mentioned that heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who ranked 88th on the list, paid over £12m in UK tax.

The report concluded by stating that the Hinduja family, who topped the Sunday Times Rich List last year, did not feature on the tax list. This is because their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK. The UK has become an attractive destination for wealthy individuals, who enjoy the cultural life and wealth management services it offers. However, many of these individuals may not create businesses in the UK and may pay most of their taxes in other countries. The list can be found on the Sunday Times website.

Original news source: JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran estimated to be among UK’s highest tax payers (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to summarize the main points of the article in a short news summary. They can present their summaries to the class and discuss any differences or similarities between the summaries.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a list of statements related to the article, such as “Wealthy individuals should pay more taxes” or “Celebrities should be more transparent about their finances.” Have the students go around the class and ask their classmates for their opinions on each statement. They can record the responses and then discuss their findings as a class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose a selection of vocabulary words from the article, such as “contributions,” “renounced,” or “penalties.” Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a word and have them take turns drawing a picture to represent the word while their partner tries to guess what it is. After a set amount of time, switch roles and give each pair a new word.

– Keyword Hangman
Instructions: Choose several keywords from the article, such as “taxes,” “contributions,” or “wealthy.” Play a game of hangman as a class, with one student choosing a word and the others trying to guess the letters. Use the keywords from the article to reinforce vocabulary and spelling.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to argue the pros of wealthy individuals paying more taxes, and the other group to argue the cons. Give each group a few minutes to prepare their arguments, then have them present their points to the class. Encourage a respectful debate and discussion after both sides have presented.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How were the individuals on the tax list ranked?
2. Who was the highest taxpayer in the UK for the 2023 financial year?
3. Why did Alex Gerko renounce his Russian nationality and gain British citizenship?
4. Who were some other notable names on the tax list?
5. How did Bernie Ecclestone avoid jail?
6. Did all individuals on the tax list voluntarily provide their tax information to the newspaper?
7. Which regions of the UK had the most individuals on the tax list?
8. Why did the Hinduja family not feature on the tax list?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

A recent report by the Sunday Times has estimated the highest tax (1)______ in the UK, with (2)______ names such as JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran making the list. The 100 contributors were ranked based on their contributions to public finances, including tax paid on (3)______ profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income. The list revealed that two-thirds of the individuals paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year.

The top spot on the list was taken by Alex Gerko, a Russian-born billionaire and financial trader. He paid an estimated £664.5m in taxes for the 2023 financial year, making him the (4)______ taxpayer. Gerko, who founded algorithmic trading firm XTX Markets, (5)______ his (6)______ nationality and gained British citizenship in 2016. He is considered a rock star in the world of algorithmic trading.

Other notable names on the list include Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive, and Denise (7)______, the boss of gambling firm Bet365. Ecclestone, a new entry on the list, paid £650m in tax and penalties to HMRC to avoid jail. Coates came in third on the list.

The (8)______ also highlighted that some individuals and families voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper. However, it is important to note that HMRC does not comment on individual cases, so the estimates provided by the Times cannot be verified.

The list revealed that more than a quarter of the entries were based in (9)______, with another eight from the south-east of England. Thirteen individuals came from the Midlands, 11 from the south-west of England, and 10 from Scotland. It is worth mentioning that the top rate of tax in Scotland will increase from 47% to 48% (10)______ from (11)______.

In terms of celebrities, author JK Rowling ranked 31st on the list, having paid £40m in UK (12)______ in the past year. Singer Ed Sheeran followed closely behind at 32nd place, contributing over £36m in UK tax. The report also mentioned that heavyweight boxer Anthony (13)______, who ranked 88th on the list, paid over £12m in UK tax.

The report concluded by stating that the Hinduja family, who (14)______ the Sunday Times Rich List last year, did not feature on the tax list. This is because their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK. The UK has (15)______ an (16)______ destination for wealthy individuals, who enjoy the cultural life and wealth management services it offers. However, many of these individuals may not create businesses in the UK and may pay most of their taxes in other countries. The list can be found on the Sunday Times website.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on the fact that two-thirds of the individuals on the tax list paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you were a billionaire like Alex Gerko and had to pay £664.5m in taxes for one year? Why?
3. Do you think it is fair that some individuals voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think more than a quarter of the entries on the tax list were based in London?
5. How do you feel about the fact that the top rate of tax in Scotland will increase from 47% to 48% starting from April? Why?
6. What is your opinion on celebrities like JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran ranking on the tax list? Why?
7. How would you feel if you were a celebrity like JK Rowling or Ed Sheeran and had to pay millions of pounds in taxes? Why?
8. Do you think it is fair that the Hinduja family, who topped the Sunday Times Rich List last year, did not feature on the tax list? Why or why not?
9. How do you feel about wealthy individuals choosing to pay most of their taxes in other countries instead of the UK? Why?
10. What is your opinion on the UK becoming an attractive destination for wealthy individuals? Why?
11. How do you feel about the fact that some individuals on the tax list paid penalties to avoid jail? Why?
12. Do you think it is important for individuals to contribute to public finances through taxes? Why or why not?
13. How would you feel if you were a financial trader like Alex Gerko and had to pay such a large amount of taxes? Why?
14. Do you think it is fair that some individuals on the tax list renounced their nationality and gained British citizenship? Why or why not?
15. What is your opinion on the fact that some individuals on the tax list paid taxes on business profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income? Why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. estimated
2. contributors
3. dividends
4. algorithmic
5. renounced
6. penalties
7. voluntarily
8. verified
9. entries
10. celebrities
11. heavyweight
12. derived
13. attractive
14. cultural
15. management

Meanings:
(A) The process of dealing with or controlling things or people
(B) Famous people, especially in entertainment or sports
(C) Formally declared abandonment of a claim, right, or possession
(D) Confirmed as true, accurate, or genuine
(E) Related to or using a step-by-step procedure for calculations
(F) Individual instances or people included in a larger group
(G) A boxer of a weight category typically above 200 pounds
(H) Relating to the arts and the understanding of cultural subjects
(I) People who give or supply something such as money or time
(J) Done, given, or acting of one’s own free will
(K) Obtained or received from a particular source
(L) Having a pleasing or desirable quality, often drawing interest
(M) Payments made by a company to its shareholders out of its profits
(N) Punishments imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract
(O) Calculated approximately or judged tentatively
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How were the individuals on the tax list ranked?
(a) Based on their contributions to public finances
(b) Based on their popularity
(c) Based on their net worth
(d) Based on their age

2. Who was the highest taxpayer in the UK for the 2023 financial year?
(a) JK Rowling
(b) Alex Gerko
(c) Bernie Ecclestone
(d) Denise Coates

3. What is Alex Gerko known for?
(a) Algorithmic trading
(b) Writing books
(c) Formula 1 racing
(d) Running a gambling firm

4. How many individuals on the tax list were based in London?
(a) Half
(b) More than a quarter
(c) One-third
(d) None

5. Which celebrity ranked 31st on the tax list?
(a) Ed Sheeran
(b) Anthony Joshua
(c) Bernie Ecclestone
(d) JK Rowling

6. Why did the Hinduja family not feature on the tax list?
(a) They did not pay any taxes
(b) They were not eligible to be on the list
(c) Their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK
(d) They were not wealthy enough

7. What is the top rate of tax in Scotland?
(a) 47%
(b) 50%
(c) 45%
(d) 48%

8. Where can the tax list be found?
(a) HMRC website
(b) The report does not mention where to find it
(c) Sunday Times website
(d) The list is not available to the public

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The Sunday Times recently released a report on the highest tax payers in the UK.
2. JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran are not among the notable names on the list.
3. Two-thirds of the individuals on the list paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year.
4. Alex Gerko, a Russian-born billionaire and financial trader, topped the list as the largest taxpayer.
5. Denise Coates, the boss of gambling firm Bet365, did not come in third on the list.
6. Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive, paid £650m in tax and penalties to avoid jail.
7. The Hinduja family, who topped the Sunday Times Rich List last year, featured on the tax list.
8. Less than a quarter of the entries on the list were based in London.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who was the highest taxpayer in the UK for the 2023 financial year?
2. How did Alex Gerko gain British citizenship?
3. Which notable names from the world of Formula 1 and gambling made the list of top taxpayers?
4. How many individuals on the list were based in London?
5. Why did the Hinduja family not feature on the tax list?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The individuals on the tax list were ranked based on their contributions to public finances, including tax paid on business profits, share sales, dividends, house purchases, and personal income.
2. Alex Gerko was the highest taxpayer in the UK for the 2023 financial year.
3. Alex Gerko renounced his Russian nationality and gained British citizenship in order to become a British citizen.
4. Other notable names on the tax list include Bernie Ecclestone and Denise Coates.
5. Bernie Ecclestone avoided jail by paying £650m in tax and penalties to HMRC.
6. No, not all individuals on the tax list voluntarily provided their tax information to the newspaper.
7. The regions of the UK with the most individuals on the tax list were London and the south-east of England.
8. The Hinduja family did not feature on the tax list because their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) payers
(2) notable
(3) business
(4) largest
(5) renounced
(6) Russian
(7) Coates
(8) report
(9) London
(10) starting
(11) April
(12) taxes
(13) Joshua
(14) topped
(15) become
(16) attractive
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. estimated
Answer: (O) Calculated approximately or judged tentatively

2. contributors
Answer: (I) People who give or supply something such as money or time

3. dividends
Answer: (M) Payments made by a company to its shareholders out of its profits

4. algorithmic
Answer: (E) Related to or using a step-by-step procedure for calculations

5. renounced
Answer: (C) Formally declared abandonment of a claim, right, or possession

6. penalties
Answer: (N) Punishments imposed for breaking a law, rule, or contract

7. voluntarily
Answer: (J) Done, given, or acting of one’s own free will

8. verified
Answer: (D) Confirmed as true, accurate, or genuine

9. entries
Answer: (F) Individual instances or people included in a larger group

10. celebrities
Answer: (B) Famous people, especially in entertainment or sports

11. heavyweight
Answer: (G) A boxer of a weight category typically above 200 pounds

12. derived
Answer: (K) Obtained or received from a particular source

13. attractive
Answer: (L) Having a pleasing or desirable quality, often drawing interest

14. cultural
Answer: (H) Relating to the arts and the understanding of cultural subjects

15. management
Answer: (A) The process of dealing with or controlling things or people
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How were the individuals on the tax list ranked?
Answer: (a) Based on their contributions to public finances

2. Who was the highest taxpayer in the UK for the 2023 financial year?
Answer: (b) Alex Gerko

3. What is Alex Gerko known for?
Answer: (a) Algorithmic trading

4. How many individuals on the tax list were based in London?
Answer: (b) More than a quarter

5. Which celebrity ranked 31st on the tax list?
Answer: (d) JK Rowling

6. Why did the Hinduja family not feature on the tax list?
Answer: (c) Their wealth is derived from businesses outside of the UK

7. What is the top rate of tax in Scotland?
Answer: (d) 48%

8. Where can the tax list be found?
Answer: (c) Sunday Times website
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The Sunday Times recently released a report on the highest tax payers in the UK. (Answer: True)
2. JK Rowling and Ed Sheeran are not among the notable names on the list. (Answer: False)
3. Two-thirds of the individuals on the list paid less tax in 2023 compared to the previous year. (Answer: True)
4. Alex Gerko, a Russian-born billionaire and financial trader, topped the list as the largest taxpayer. (Answer: True)
5. Denise Coates, the boss of gambling firm Bet365, did not come in third on the list. (Answer: False)
6. Bernie Ecclestone, the former Formula 1 chief executive, paid £650m in tax and penalties to avoid jail. (Answer: True)
7. The Hinduja family, who topped the Sunday Times Rich List last year, featured on the tax list. (Answer: False)
8. Less than a quarter of the entries on the list were based in London. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧