LONDON, [DATE] – Reform UK has unveiled a controversial immigration proposal offering 10-year UK residency permits to wealthy foreigners for £250,000, coupled with exemptions on overseas wealth taxation. The "Britannia Card" directly challenges Labour's abolition of non-domiciled tax status, which has triggered an exodus of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from Britain.
Key Policy Features
- £250,000 fee: Grants 10-year renewable residency
- Tax exemptions: No UK taxes on foreign income or assets
- Redistribution mechanism: 100% of fees directed to lowest-earning 10% of full-time workers
- Economic goal: Aims to reverse HNWI departures while increasing work incentives for low-income Britons
Migration Context
2023-24 Data:
- 10,800 HNWIs left the UK
- Projected 2025 exodus:
- Government (OBR): 1,000 non-doms (with "substantial uncertainty")
- Private forecast (Henley & Partners): Net loss of 16,500 millionaires – potentially the largest single-year outflow ever recorded
Fiscal Impact Disputes
Source |
Claim |
Reform UK |
6,000 annual cards → £600 payments for 2.5M low earners |
Labour Party |
£2.5B annual cost → requires offsetting tax hikes |
Tax Policy Associates |
£34B+ deficit over 5 years |
IFS |
Net fiscal effect "far from clear" |
Political Reactions
Criticism:
- Rachel Reeves, Chancellor: "A tax cut for foreign billionaires reminiscent of Truss's disastrous mini-Budget."
- Labour Analysis: Links policy to potential austerity measures for public services
Silent Shift?:
Bloomberg reports Labour may introduce its own sector-targeted investor visa for AI/clean energy, signaling bipartisan recognition of capital flight risks.
Policy Differentiation
Unlike traditional "golden visas", the Britannia Card uniquely:
- Explicitly ties immigration to wealth redistribution (vs. general treasury funds)
- Focuses on retention amid record HNWI departures
- Offers tax exemptions as competitive leverage