LABOUR MP Richard Burgon delivered an 80,000-strong petition to Downing Street today demanding more taxation on the super-rich.

The hand-in coincided with the launch of a new parliamentary motion, tabled by Mr Burgon and signed by at least 20 Labour MPs, calling for a wealth tax in the Autumn Budget. 

The motion proposes an annual wealth tax of 2 per cent on assets over £10 million, which experts say could raise an estimated £24 billion each year.

A recent YouGov poll suggested that 75 per cent of the public would support such a tax.

Calls for taxes on the super-rich have also received support from trade unions including Unison, Unite, Usdaw, FBU and NASUWT.

Prior to putting forward the motion, Mr Burgon said: “The government has seriously damaged its own support by refusing to tax wealth — all while cutting support for disabled people, targeting the winter fuel allowance and maintaining the cruel two-child benefit cap.

“Instead of balancing the books on the backs of the most vulnerable, the government must adopt real Labour policies — starting with a wealth tax on the super-rich.

“A fair tax on extreme wealth can help Labour rebuild our public services, tackle poverty and deliver the change people are crying out for.”

An HM Treasury spokesperson said: “As set out in the Plan for Change, the best way to strengthen public finances is by growing the economy — which is our focus. 

“Changes to tax and spend policy are not the only ways of doing this, as seen with our planning reforms, which are expected to grow the economy by £6.8bn and cut borrowing by £3.4bn.”