Working in the UK

Is it right that Usain Bolt should be given a special tax exemption when he competes in the UK – or is this an expedient too far?

My eye was drawn to a recent announcement by the Treasury (‘Statement regarding the London anniversary games’) that Usain Bolt alongside other competitors attending the games in July are going to have a special exemption from UK tax. In the current climate giving a tax exemption to somebody reputed to earn £12m a year is an interesting idea.

Of course it makes commercial sense. Apart from the London Olympics (for which there was a blanket tax exemption anyway) Usain Bolt has not competed in the UK since 2009. He made it quite clear (along with others including such names as Rafael Nadal and...