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SCORES of Britain’s super-rich have sought to use taxpayers’ funds to keep their businesses afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, it was revealed today.
The Sunday Times reported that that 63 of the country’s wealthiest individuals on the newspaper’s annual Rich List — including at least 20 billionaires — applied to the furlough scheme to pay the wages of their workers.
Under the scheme, staff are paid 80 per cent of the salary by the government up to £2,500 each per month.
The list reveals that five of Britain’s richest 10 people own companies that have furloughed workers through the scheme.
Property moguls David and Simon Reuben (worth £16 billion) are ranked joint-second on the rich list with brothers Sri and Gopi Hinduja.
The Reubens — who own commercial properties, developments and firms in central London and the north of England — are reported to have furloughed around 750 staff at their racecourses and pubs, but have pledged to top up their salaries.
Other billionaires accused of benefiting from the taxpayer-funded scheme are the Hinduja brothers.
When the Hindujas topped last year’s rich list at £22bn, then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanded that Britain’s 1,000 richest people publish their tax returns.
The Hindujas have furloughed part of their 360 employees at Optare, their North Yorkshire-based bus-making firm.
Britain’s fifth richest person, Sir Jim Ratcliffe (£12.15bn), has also been criticised after furloughing most of his staff.
The head of chemicals company Ineos and luxury hotel group owner has placed almost 800 members of staff at Home Grown Hotels and Lime Wood group on furlough.
Mr Ratcliffe is also reportedly seeking an emergency loan from the government for Petroineos, a joint partnership with his chemical company Ineos, which has not furloughed any of its 3,000 staff.
Last year, it was reported that he moved to Monaco, where residents do not pay income tax, to save up to £4bn in tax.
Mike Ashley, owner of Newcastle United and Sports Direct, also applied to the scheme. He has wealth of £1.95bn and is 75th on the list of richest people.
He has been condemned by MPs for his company’s widespread use of zero-hours contracts and “Victorian workhouse” conditions.
It is claimed the majority of his 18,000 Frasers Group employees have been furloughed.
