Despite his own personal fortune, Daniel Baldwin used the CJRS to help keep his multi-million pound businesses running.
Since the government introduced the coronavirus job retention scheme (CJRS), celebrities have been criticised for claiming taxpayers’ money to fund their employees’ jobs, despite their own personal fortunes.
Last year, for example chef Gordon Ramsay sparked fury after he claimed furlough support for staff when he is said to be worth £140m. Similarly, fashion designer Stella McCartney chose to furlough employees in 2020 despite having a rumoured £60m fortune.
Now TV presenter Holly Willoughby’s husband is the latest to be named for using the support scheme to help keep his multi-million pound businesses running.
Daniel Baldwin is a television producer and has worked on shows including Through the Keyhole, Celebrity Juice and Virtually Famous, plus he is also the managing director (MD) of Hungry Bear Media.
The media firm is valued at around two million, however Metro reported that he allegedly claimed up to £10,000 in December last year.
In addition to these roles, Baldwin is also a director of Roxy Media, which is reportedly worth over £10m.
Hungry Bear Media’s most recent financial filings from January indicate nearly one million in cash and assets.
Meanwhile, Willoughby is said to be paid £600,000 a year for her presenting role on ITV’s This Morning, and together they reportedly have a net worth of £13m.
‘Taxpayers will have long memories’
While Baldwin was entitled to claim on the furlough scheme, his own personal fortune may not sit well with taxpayers who have contributed out of their own pocket to support businesses and their staff.
While some businesses have started to repay the furlough support they received, the TaxPayers’ Alliance’s chief executive John O’Connell stated that “taxpayers will likely have long memories of those that helped in the national effort and those that didn’t”.
He explained to Reward Strategy: “It is understandable that some businesses furloughed staff unnecessarily given the unprecedented circumstances of the past year.
“However, Covid had a massive impact upon the economy and now every penny really does count. Some businesses have repaid the support offered to them by taxpayers. They should serve as an example for other firms that have come through the past year in rude health.”