UPDATE: Angela Rayner is embroiled in a fresh controversy over unpaid council tax on her grace-and-favour apartment, Admiralty House, located in a historic £18 million property. Reports confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister only settled her council tax surcharge after being contacted by The Mail on Sunday, raising questions about her financial responsibilities.
The accusations come just weeks after Rayner’s resignation from the Cabinet in September due to underpayment of stamp duty on her new seaside home. This latest scandal could severely impact her anticipated political comeback. The scrutiny intensifies as Westminster Council imposed a 100% council tax surcharge on second homes starting April 2025, a policy overseen by Rayner herself.
According to official sources, Rayner’s initial council tax bill was set at £2,034 for her flat in Admiralty House, which should have doubled under the new rules. In April, Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake reached out to Rayner, inquiring whether she considered Admiralty House her primary or secondary residence. At the time, she was still dividing her time between her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency and a flat in Hove.
In a shocking development, it was revealed that Rayner only acted to pay the second home charge after media inquiries. Hollinrake expressed his concerns in a recent letter to Labour leader Keir Starmer, stating, “New evidence proves Angela Rayner broke the law while in post as a minister, broke the Ministerial Code, and that Parliament has been misled.” He emphasized that the council tax premium was due from April 1, making the late payment a significant issue.
Further complicating the matter, the Cabinet Office confirmed on October 21 that the surcharge was paid in full as a “one-off payment” in July 2025, despite the tax liability starting months earlier. Hollinrake highlighted that taxpayers must settle their bills promptly, adding that Rayner should have been fully aware of these obligations given her previous role overseeing council tax.
In her defense, a source close to Rayner stated, “The Government is responsible for liaising with Westminster Council and administering council tax on Admiralty House, not Angela.” A government spokesperson reiterated that it was typical for the government to manage council tax payments for such properties under longstanding conventions.
The implications of this scandal could extend beyond Rayner’s personal finances, potentially impacting her political future as she navigates a challenging landscape in the wake of these revelations. As pressure mounts, observers will be watching closely for her next steps and any further developments in this ongoing saga.
Stay tuned as this story develops, and follow us for real-time updates on this situation and its ramifications in the political arena.
