JK Rowling and Harry Styles among highest taxpayers
The annual Sunday Times Tax List has revealed the UK’s 100 biggest taxpayers, with gambling magnates Fred and Peter Done of Betfred topping the rankings for the first time, surpassing a host of musicians, entrepreneurs, and sporting icons.
Celebrities such as JK Rowling, Mo Salah, and Harry Styles also featured prominently.
The billionaire brothers, who established their Warrington-based business in 1967, contributed an estimated £400.1m in tax over the past year.
This significant sum marks a near 50 per cent increase from their previous year’s bill of £273.4m.
Their elevated tax payments, along with many others on the list, are attributed to changes in corporation tax rates and other fiscal adjustments implemented by the Labour government, aimed at bolstering welfare spending.
Collectively, the top 100 taxpayers paid a staggering £5.758bn in tax, a substantial rise from £4.985bn recorded the previous year.
Robert Watts, who compiles the list, noted its increasing diversity, stating: “This is an increasingly diverse list, with Premier League footballers and world-famous pop stars lining up alongside aristocrats and business owners selling pies, pillows and baby milk.
“This year there’s been a big jump in the amount of tax we’ve identified – largely because of higher corporation tax rates.”
Beyond the Done brothers, financial trading entrepreneur Alex Gerko secured second place with a £331.4m tax contribution, closely followed by hedge fund boss Chris Rokos, who paid £330m.
Among the new entries to the prestigious list was former One Direction star Harry Styles, whose tax payment reached £24.7m.
Footballing talent also made their mark, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland debuting at number 72 with an estimated £16.9m tax bill, and Liverpool’s Mo Salah contributing an estimated £14.5m.
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
Go to website
ADVERTISEMENT
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
Go to website
ADVERTISEMENT
Other familiar names included Harry Potter author JK Rowling, ranked 36th with a £47.5m bill, and musician Ed Sheeran, at 64th place with a £19.9m tax payment.
However, the list also highlighted a growing trend of wealthy individuals departing the UK.
Six taxpayers featured despite having left the country over the past year, amid speculation that moves were made to avoid higher taxes under Labour or due to the removal of non-dom status.
These individuals included Revolut founder Nik Storonsky, Wren Kitchens founder Malcolm Healey, and sports promoter Eddie Hearn.
Mr Watts commented on this exodus, observing: “One in nine of the people who make the tax list are no longer listed as resident here in the UK, instead choosing to live in Morocco, Dubai, Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, the United States and the Channel Islands.
“Clearly, the tax listers who have moved offshore are still delivering huge sums to HM Treasury through their businesses, but the Chancellor would no doubt be raising even more money from these people had they chosen to stay put and remain liable for personal tax here.”
Chernobyl loses power as mass blackouts continue across Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that trilateral talks due to take place on Sunday will be delayed until next week as Donald Trump focuses on the “situation with Iran”.
In his nightly video address on Saturday, the Ukrainian President said he was waiting for more information from the US, which is brokering the negotiations, on where and when the talks would next take place.
He had previously suggested that Sunday’s meeting may be delayed due to the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
“We are in constant communication with the American side and are expecting specific details from them regarding further meetings,” the president said.
“We are counting on meetings next week and are preparing for them.”
Talks between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington were due to take place in the UAE on Sunday, following the first round of negotiations last weekend.
On Saturday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff held “productive and constructive” talks with Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Florida.
Mr Witkoff said the territorial issue of Donbas remained key in making progress in the negotiations, with Kyiv refusing Moscow’s demand to relinquish the region.
Mapped: Battlefield situation as of Friday
The British Ministry of Defence shared its latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine on Friday:
Watch: Trump says Putin agreed to not fire on Kyiv for a week during cold
Ukrainians without power forced to queue up for hot meals
Ukraine investigating cause of outages
Ukraine is investigating a “technical incident” on its energy grid after two lines between Romania and Moldova, as well as lines in Ukraine, stopped operating.
“As of now, there is no confirmation of external interference or a cyberattack,” Volodymyr Zelensky said.
“Most indications point to weather: ice buildup on the lines and automatic shutdowns.”
Earlier, Ukraine’s energy minister Denys Shmyhal blamed a technical malfunction for the outages.
Donald Trump said on Thursday that Vladimir Putin had agreed to a brief ceasefire on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which would protect the country from a time of “extraordinarily cold” weather.
The Kremlin said the ceasefire would end on Sunday.
War death toll set to hit grim milestone
The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides of Russia’s war on Ukraine could hit two million by the spring, a report has warned.
It would mean Moscow suffering the largest number of troop deaths recorded for any major power in any conflict since the Second World War.
The study by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies revealed the slow, deadly grind of the conflict, and comes before the fourth anniversary of Putin full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.
The report said Russia suffered 1.2 million casualties, including up to 325,000 troop deaths, between February 2022 and December 2025.
“No major power has suffered anywhere near these numbers of casualties or fatalities in any war since World War II,” the authors said.
It estimated that Ukraine, with its smaller army and population, had suffered between 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.
Ukraine facing bitter winter with -30C temperatures
Kyiv is forecast to enter a brutally cold stretch starting that is expected to last into next week.
Temperatures in some areas will drop to -30C, the State Emergency Service said.
Russia has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat, light and running water over the course of the war, in a strategy that Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing winter.”
The possibility of a respite in energy sector attacks was discussed at last weekend’s meeting in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, between envoys of Ukraine, Russia and the United States, Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said that he had agreed to adhere to a “reciprocal approach” on energy assaults.
“If Russia does not strike us, we will … take corresponding steps,” he told reporters.
Peace negotiations postponed as Ukraine ‘counts on meetings next week’
Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that three-way peace talks set to take place in the UAE tomorrow will now take place next week.
In his nightly video address, President Zelensky said he was waiting for more information from the US about further peace talks and expected new meetings to take place next week.
“We are in constant communication with the American side and are expecting specific details from them regarding further meetings.
“We are counting on meetings next week and are preparing for them.”
Ukraine’s president has said earlier that talks could be delayed due to the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Analysis: Trump is backing the wrong war
World affairs editor Sam Kiley writes: Chaotic, unprincipled and dangerously effective, Donald Trump’s latest foreign policy move in Ukraine may provide a brief respite from Russian bombing in plunging temperatures that have left civilians freezing in their homes.
The danger lies in what he expects to get in return for securing a week-long agreement from Vladimir Putin to hold off on tormenting Ukraine.
The concession he will, no doubt, demand is that Kyiv give in to the Kremlin’s demands to hand over his most potent defensive lines and fortress cities without a shot being fired in return for a longer “ceasefire”.
Trump has been backing the wrong side in Ukraine, and may soon launch a war in Iran that he cannot control.
US negotiators have been trying to get Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to cede all of Donetsk and most of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces as a reward for Russia’s bloody invasion that has, by many estimates, cost the country 1.2 million casualties.
Click here for the full story.
The power outages come amid mounting concerns among US and European officials over hundreds of millions of dollars in American energy assistance for Ukraine that remain unreleased.
The aid was originally intended to help Ukraine import liquefied natural gas and rebuild infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes, say sources including a US and a Ukrainian official.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) had notified Congress during the Biden administration of its intention to disburse some funds.
Yet, after USAID was effectively shuttered in the initial weeks of the Trump administration, some money fell into what sources described as “bureaucratic limbo.”
Technical malfunction blamed for outages
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal blamed a technical malfunction that caused simultaneous outages on two high-voltage power lines, one linking the grids of Romania and Moldova and another connecting western and central Ukraine.
Moldova’s energy ministry said the disruption there was triggered by serious problems in Ukraine’s grid that led to a voltage drop on the line connecting Romania and Moldova.
Romania’s energy ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The accident caused a shutdown on Ukraine’s side, triggered automatic protection at substations and the temporary disconnection of nuclear power plant units from the grid, Shmyhal said.
Ibrahima Konate caps off fine win with fourth goal for Liverpool
Liverpool ended a poor run in the Premier League with a resounding 4-1 victory over Newcastle at Anfield to show that there is life yet in Arne Slot’s side.
The Reds started slowly under an onslaught of Newcastle aggression. Anthony Gordon in particular was a menace, throwing himself around, pressing high and taking shots from his role as the central striker. Gordon eventually slotted in the opener but that just unlocked Liverpool’s rhythm.
Hugo Ekitike was the instigator of the comeback. He scored twice in three minutes to ensure that Liverpool headed into the half-time break with a lead.
Florian Wirtz added a third goal after the restart to give the hosts a cushion as Eddie Howe made changes to try and swing the momentum. It didn’t work.
Slot flooded the midfield to keep his team in possession before Ibrahima Konate put the icing on the cake with a late stoppage time goal.
Relive the action from Anfield with our live blog below:
Hugo Ekitike eviscerates Newcastle to show glimpse of Liverpool’s future
And that was why Newcastle United wanted to sign Hugo Ekitike. This was the eviscerating evidence of why they saw him as Alexander Isak’s replacement and why, at times this season, it has not mattered to Liverpool that the £125m man has been injured or ineffective.
As Ekitike’s name rang around Anfield, Newcastle got an unwanted reminder of the one who got away. Twice, really, given they first targeted him when he instead joined Paris Saint-Germain and then bid for him again before Liverpool pounced. Eddie Howe recognised Ekitike’s talent. He just could not lure him to Tyneside.
Hugo Ekitike eviscerates Newcastle to show glimpse of Liverpool’s future
Positives for Newcastle
Kieran Trippier added: “I think, there are positives to take from today. We are footballers and we don’t want to make any excuses for this relentless schedule.”
Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier, speaking to TNT Sports:
“I am very frustrated, we started the game well, went man-for-man and got the first goal. We are disappointed as a group.
“When you come here you know you will have to deal with the pressure of Liverpool, you have to keep composure and your calm, then one long ball over the top and they score.
“There is no time to dwell on it, we have another massive game.”
Wirtz on partnership with Ekitike:
“He is just unbelievable. You can see him today again two fantastic goals, and it is just fun to play with him on the pitch. Happy I could assist him again today after many assists from him to me.”
Florian Wirtz, speaking to TNT Sports:
“I am very happy. As I said before the game I always love to score and assist and help the team to win.
“I want to continue like that because it makes you happy and gives you more confidence. When you can help the team win it is always good.”
Can Liverpool build consistency?
Ibrahima Konate said: “We have to take game after game. For me, we are always the best team on the pitch but we maybe concede too many goals or don’t score enough, but today we did very well and we have to take next game after next game.”
Konate on Florian Wirtz:
“I am very happy for him to be fair. He just showed to the world his quality. He did not reach his peak right now but it is coming very soon. We spoke in pre-season what he is going to do and if he reaches that my god it will be crazy.”
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate speaking to TNT Sports:
“For sure I am very happy. I don’t have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family the last two weeks, but this is part of life. It is hard to accept that and we don’t have the choice.
“I know that the team had some injured players, and the manager on the call said to take my time and I don’t have to rush back. With this situation [injuries] it was important for me to come back and help the team. I did today with the team at Anfield, the atmosphere was incredible today, and this is what we need until the end of the season.”
A fine night for Liverpool
Full-time! Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle
A resounding win for Liverpool in the end.
It didn’t start out that way but Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz ensured that the Reds turned around the deficit before Ibrahima Konate capped off a great night.
Renowned activist arrested over placard at pro-Palestine protest
Renowned activist Peter Tatchell has been arrested at a pro-Palestine march in central London, his foundation said on Saturday.
Mr Tatchell, 74, was arrested, it said, over a placard reading: “Globalise the intifada: Non-violent resistance. End Israel’s occupation of Gaza & West Bank.”
In a statement released by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, Mr Tatchell said Saturday’s arrest was “an attack on free speech”.
He said: “The police claimed the word intifada is unlawful. The word intifada is not a crime in law.
“The police are engaged in overreach by making it an arrestable offence.
“This is part of a dangerous trend to increasingly restrict and criminalise peaceful protests.”
Mr Tatchell said “intifada”, an Arab word, means “uprising, rebellion or resistance against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza”.
He added: “It does not mean violence and is not antisemitic. It is against the Israeli regime and its war crimes, not against Jewish people.”
Mr Tatchell was taken to Sutton police station to be detained, according to his foundation.
The Metropolitan Police said in December that protesters chanting “globalise the intifada” would be arrested because the “context has changed” in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
In a post on X, the Met said: “Officers policing the Palestine Coalition protest have arrested a 74-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offence. He was seen carrying a sign including the words ‘globalise the intifada’.”
Mr Tatchell had been marching near police officers and with the sign on display for about a mile from Russell Square to the top of the Strand when the group came across a counterprotest, according to a witness.
At that point, he was stopped and “manhandled by 10 officers”, according to Jacky Summerfield, who was with him.
“I was shoved back behind a cordon of officers and unable to speak to him after that,” she said.
“I couldn’t get any closer to hear anything more than that; it was for Section 5 [of the Public Order Act].
“There had been no issue until that, he was walking near the police officers,” she added.
“Nobody had said or done anything.”
Veterans protest at US embassy over Trump’s Greenland threats
Hundreds of Danish veterans, many of whom served alongside American forces, staged a silent protest on Saturday outside the US Embassy in Copenhagen.
The demonstration was a direct response to the Trump administration’s suggestions of acquiring Greenland and what they perceive as a dismissal of their combat contributions.
Earlier in January, President Donald Trump claimed that Nato soldiers avoided the front line in the Middle East, and he was not sure that the alliance would “be there if we ever needed them”.
He told Fox News: “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
“Denmark has always stood side by side with the USA — and we have showed up in the world’s crisis zones when the USA has asked us to,” Danish Veterans & Veteran Support said.
“We feel let down and ridiculed by the Trump administration, which is deliberately disregarding Denmark’s combat side by side with the USA.”
The group added: “Words cannot describe how much it hurts us that Denmark’s contributions and sacrifices in the fight for democracy, peace and freedom are being forgotten in the White House.”
The veterans initially gathered at a monument honouring fallen Danish service members before marching to the nearby US Embassy.
There, they observed five minutes of silence, dedicating one minute to each branch of Denmark’s armed forces: the army, air force, navy, emergency management agency, and police.
Danish veterans are furious at how the White House rhetoric disregards the right to self-determination of Greenland, a territory of Nato ally Denmark.
They also strongly object to Trump’s claim that Denmark is incapable of protecting the West’s security interests in the Arctic.
Forty-four Danish soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, the highest per capita death toll among coalition forces. Eight more died in Iraq.
Tensions were further inflamed on Tuesday when 44 Danish flags — one for every Danish soldier killed in Afghanistan — that had been placed in front of the embassy were removed by embassy staff.
The State Department later said that, as a general rule, guard staff remove items left behind following demonstrations and other “legitimate exercises of free speech”. The flags were returned to those who left them, it said.
The smart moment to get ahead of your business budget
For businesses large and small, late January is when reality bites. For some, it’s the first chance to take a breath after the festive rush and early January sales. For others, it’s an opportunity to look at things afresh after time away from the office. Either way, it’s the moment when plans need to move off the page and into practice.
In a challenging business environment, budgets must work harder, workflows need to be optimised and spending requires clear oversight. This is where Amazon Business can make a tangible difference: helping teams start the year organised, keep costs under control and simplify everyday purchasing across essential business categories.
Stock Up and Save now: Business Savings Event Ends February 4
The Business Savings Event is your opportunity to secure exceptional deals and special prices on everything your business needs. Whether you’re stocking up on office essentials, upgrading equipment, or planning ahead for the quarter, now is the time to take advantage of significant savings across thousands of products. Visit the Business Savings Event page today and discover how much you can save before February 4.
Buy smarter, stay stocked
Feeling organised starts with knowing you have what you need. Amazon Business supports this by offering bulk buying options that help improve budget efficiency. From pallet-sized orders of cleaning products to everyday office supplies, buying in volume ensures businesses are paying the best possible price.
Registered Amazon Business customers also benefit from exclusive business-only pricing, alongside the fast and flexible delivery Amazon is known for. In some circumstances, same-day delivery is available, allowing businesses to stay agile and responsive without overstocking.
One platform, less paperwork
Switching to Amazon Business can also significantly reduce administrative burden. Rather than sourcing cleaning supplies from one provider, office technology from another and stationery from a third, Amazon Business acts as a one-stop shop for procurement.
This streamlined approach frees up valuable time, allowing business owners and teams to focus on delivering quality products and services, rather than managing multiple suppliers and invoices.
Control for leaders, autonomy for teams
Amazon Business combines the familiar Amazon interface with professional-grade tools designed specifically for organisations. Team members can order what they need quickly and intuitively – even without purchasing experience – all through a single, centralised account.
At the same time, business leaders retain full oversight. Multi-user accounts include built-in controls that define what different users can buy, ensuring transparency and compliance. Instead of juggling multiple supplier accounts, businesses gain instant insight into purchasing behaviour, helping to reduce rogue spend and keep budgets on track.
The platform’s analytics tools also enable deeper trend analysis, supporting smarter decision-making now and more effective planning for the future. Amazon Business integrates with more than 300 e-procurement and expense management systems, including Coupa, Concur Expense and SAP Ariba, and makes it easy to manage delivery preferences across multiple locations within a single workflow.
From fitting seamlessly into existing systems to keeping spending accountable, Amazon Business helps companies start the year as they mean to go on: with smarter, simpler and more business-focused buying.
Sign up for a free Amazon Business account to streamline your purchasing and take advantage of quantity discounts.
Hundreds protest in Milan against ICE involvement at Winter Olympics
Hundreds of Italians have taken to the streets to protest US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ involvement in the Winter Olympics.
The demonstrators gathered in Milan on Saturday, blowing whistles and singing Bruce Springsteen songs, in an echo of some of the tactics used by anti-ICE protesters in the US.
It was announced this week that ICE staff will help to protect the US delegation at the Games, which run from 6-22 February in Milan and the Alpine resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The security role is consistent with support provided by various federal agencies for US diplomats at previous Olympic events.
However, the news was met by uproar in Italy due to the fatal shootings of US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota.
Umberto Daddario, a 54-year-old industrial chemist, was at the protest with his daughter Giorgia, 16.
They carried a hand-written placard that read “ICE=FASCISM.”
Fabio, a 49-year-old architect from Milan, attended the demonstration, with his wife and daughters aged 10 and six.
“We are here at the request of our daughters who wanted to demonstrate as a protest against what is going on in the USA,” he said.
Italy has detailed a sweeping security plan for the Winter Olympics, stressing that it will keep command of all operations.
The US delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala earlier said that ICE is “not welcome” in the Italian city.
“They are not aligned with our democratic way of managing security,” Mr Sala told RTL Radio 102.
The Minnesota shootings
Mother of three Renee Nicole Good was shot dead in her car after a disagreement with ICE agent Jonathan Ross on 7 January.
The Trump administration has consistently stated that Mr Ross acted in self defence when he shot the woman.
However, footage seems to show Ms Good attempting to turn her car past the agent to drive away.
Intensive care nurse Alex Pretti was then shot dead on 24 January, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claiming the agent fired in self-defence after stating that Mr Pretti had a handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him.
This version of events has been challenged by eyewitnesses and Mr Pretti’s family.
Madueke epitomises the reason why Arsenal can win the Premier League
It was a significant investment to sign Noni Madueke from Chelsea in the summer, but it was moments like this that are why Arsenal may start seeing a real return.
The sight of Bukayo Saka walking off during the warm-up with a physio by his side before this clash with Leeds would have sent shivers down the spines of Gunners supporters and maybe even the rest of the squad in previous seasons.
Of course, it won’t have been a moment that filled them with joy and they will wait nervously to see how long their talisman will be out for.
While it may have also slightly added to the apprehension beforehand that their grip on this Premier League title race might be slipping after last weekend’s dramatic loss to Manchester United, capped a three-game winless run.
Yet now Mikel Arteta has such strength in depth means it wasn’t exactly panic stations. The £48m man was put into the warm-up on the right-hand side and stepped up when needed. This may be the difference this term from previous title runs by the Spaniard’s side. Now he can count on talent off the bench, which have come at a huge cost but gives them so many options.
There have been doubts as to why Arsenal spent on Madueke. He has looked good in the Champions League but flattered to deceive somewhat in England’s top tier, certainly when it came to end product – before this afternoon, anyway.
These days, when stats are regurgitated more than ever, nuanced debates about nice touches and movement fall by the wayside. Particularly when you have given a rival club such a sum to prise him from their possession.
That Madueke came into this game without a goal involvement in the Premier League since last April, when he was still in the blue of Chelsea, was a stick his critics were continuing to beat him with.
But when it was confirmed he would take Saka’s spot on the right, it felt like a moment for him to somewhat silence them.
If Arsenal had lost here and Madueke drawn yet another blank while giving the chance to Manchester City and Aston Villa to close the gap further, then the naysayers would have honed in on the England winger.
In the end, it was easy for Arsenal, and they were hugely helped by how Madueke took his chance to show what he can do.
It was his fine cross that Martin Zubimendi rose to head in for the opener. The previous 20 minutes had not been inspiring for the Gunners, who operated in a 4-4-2 in possession but struggled to find gaps in a well-drilled Leeds defence.
Madueke’s cross was the lock breaker, though. It was 11 minutes later when he whipped his left boot around a corner, which swung dangerously towards the hosts’ goal.
Of course, Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow should have done better than punch it into his own net. While Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have either got out of his way or been forced to move.
But it was the quality of the corner that caused the mistake. Madueke now has two assists after it was confirmed to be an own goal by Darlow.
The fact Arteta could turn to club captain Martin Odegaard – who was dropped for Kai Havertz but then replaced him – and Gabriel Martinelli just after the hour mark further showed the strength on his bench.
Martinelli came on for Madueke and he was the provider for Viktor Gyokeres in the 69th minute. The Swedish striker turned home the cross off his shin after taking advantage of some poor defending from the hosts.
Gabriel Jesus, Riccardo Calafiori and Eberechi Eze later emerged into the Yorkshire rain to further underpin the strength of Arsenal’s squad.
It was Jesus who rounded off the rout with five minutes to go. It came from a clever pass from Odegaard and a cute turn before a fine finish. Did we mention the strength in depth?
Despite a brief bout of Leeds pressure in the early moments of the second half, Arsenal comfortably relieved some of the tension that had been building around their lead in the title race by getting back to winning ways.
That advantage at the top of the table is seven points again, and it is up to City and Villa to respond as we enter February.
This Arsenal side may not be the easiest league leaders on the eye, but they are certainly effective and this was a display of them getting back to that routine.
Their trip to Leeds was disrupted by fog, which meant they couldn’t fly and instead took a 200-mile coach trip north. Yet they will certainly have felt like they were flying high again on the return journey.