Rio Ferdinand has chosen to move from the UK to Dubai and believes taxpayers are wondering if their donations are really improving the quality of life back home. The former Manchester United star has decided to move to the United Arab Emirates, citing the government’s treatment of taxpayers and the continued difficulties facing the NHS as key factors in his decision to leave.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled a £40bn increase in business tax in last year’s budget, and signaled that she might break with Labor’s manifesto pledge by raising income tax in this month’s budget, insisting that voters must “everyone play their part” in fixing Britain’s finances. Mr Ferdinand left the UK in August and will not have to pay taxes in his new home, although he claimed that British people would be prepared to pay if the government managed things effectively, which he believes is not the case.
“If health services and other things existed and they worked perfectly well, people wouldn’t mind paying taxes,” he told LBC.
“But when things break down and things go wrong, you sit there and think, ‘I’m paying all this tax money, but is it really going to go to something that benefits the people who live here?’ And that’s a big question to answer – and I think many of us know the answer.”
The 46-year-old, who left his job as a pundit for TNT Sports last season, also revealed that he is enjoying spending much more time with his loved ones since the move. “My family is seeing me a lot more and I’m spending quality time with them, which I think is great,” he said.
“I love Britain and I’m a patriotic guy in that sense, but I think a new journey, a new chapter, something different is a fresh new chapter in my life.”
Ferdinand and his partner Kate enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in Dubai. Kate previously revealed her £6.5 million mansion, set in exclusive gated grounds in Al Barari, on Instagram.
The property is thought to have seven bedrooms, a family pool and a rooftop terrace with panoramic coastal views and a home cinema.
Before moving, Ferdinand and his wife lived in a multi-million pound estate in Bromley, south-east London, but frequently visited Dubai on family holidays.
