Gary Stevenson leaves YouTube channel, cites health concerns
15 reported
Gary Stevenson, the former City trader and wealth tax campaigner, has announced he is quitting his YouTube channel Gary’s Economics, citing health concerns. In a 48-minute address to camera, he said the weekly videos had become “harder and harder as he had got more tired.” The channel grew to 1.64 million subscribers during the Covid pandemic. Stevenson’s announcement followed mixed reactions to a Channel 4 documentary, How to Get Filthy Rich with Gary Stevenson, which drew skepticism from left-leaning tax experts and rightwing critics. Despite the reception, his proposal for a 2% tax on individual wealth over £10m is gaining traction, with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham facing growing calls to increase taxes on the ultra-rich. Stevenson said he may return in a podcast format and did not rule out monthly videos after a break in Japan.
What’s reported
Gary Stevenson announced he is quitting his YouTube channel Gary’s Economics, citing health concerns.
The channel grew to 1.64 million subscribers during the Covid pandemic.
Stevenson posted an 18-minute signoff video on Sunday morning titled “It’s time to say goodbye.”
He said weekly videos had become “harder and harder as he had got more tired.”
Stevenson was born in 1986 in east London and worked at Citibank after the financial crisis.
He argues for a 2% tax on individual wealth over £10m, which he says would raise £24bn a year.
A Channel 4 documentary released last month, How to Get Filthy Rich with Gary Stevenson, was poorly received.
The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan wrote the presenter was “outdone and undone by almost all of his interviewees.”
Tax lawyer Dan Neidle described Stevenson’s plans as “populist claptrap.”
A Telegraph review said Stevenson had “all the traits of the self-aggrandising online influencer class.”
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham is fielding growing calls to increase taxes on the ultra-rich.
A proposal to tax the 1,000 UK households with wealth over £100m could raise £10bn, per one study.
Last week, Gary Lineker was among 120 millionaires who wrote an open letter in favor of a wealth tax.
Stevenson said in a Newsnight interview he was quitting public conversation, citing tiredness.
In his valedictory video, Stevenson said he might return in a podcast format or do monthly videos.
Key figures
Gary Stevenson, former City trader and YouTube channel host
Lucy Mangan, Guardian critic
Dan Neidle, tax lawyer and investigator
Andy Burnham, new prime minister
Gary Lineker, former footballer and millionaire signatory
Sources: The Guardian
