UPDATE: Angela Rayner is engulfed in a fresh controversy regarding her council tax payments on the grace-and-favour apartment at Admiralty House. Just announced, the former Deputy Prime Minister is accused of evading a council tax surcharge on her residence, raising significant questions about her financial responsibilities.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Ms. Rayner only settled the outstanding second home charge of £2,034 after being contacted about it, despite the requirement being in place since April. This new scrutiny follows her resignation from the Cabinet in September over underpayment of stamp duty on another property.
The implications of this issue are profound, particularly as Ms. Rayner is reportedly planning a political comeback. In April 2025, Westminster Council introduced a 100 percent council tax surcharge on second homes, a policy that Ms. Rayner oversaw during her time in office. Questions arose after Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake sought clarification on whether Admiralty House was her primary residence.
Ms. Rayner’s response indicated that her “council tax responsibility” was “properly discharged.” However, it wasn’t until October 21, 2025, that the Cabinet Office confirmed the second home surcharge had been paid in full, with Westminster Council being informed only in May.
“New evidence proves Angela Rayner broke the law while in post as a minister,” wrote Hollinrake to Keir Starmer. “A taxpayer cannot just choose to pay their bill months later. This was a cover-up.”
Critics suggest that Ms. Rayner’s actions constitute a serious breach of the Ministerial Code. They argue that as Secretary of State responsible for council tax from July 2024, she should have been aware of the new tax surcharge.
In defense, a source close to Ms. Rayner stated, “The Government is responsible for liaising with Westminster Council and administering council tax on Admiralty House, not Angela.” A Government spokesman echoed this, emphasizing the longstanding practice of the government handling such payments.
This developing situation is likely to have broad repercussions for Ms. Rayner’s political future and raises critical questions about accountability among public officials. With public trust at stake, the scrutiny over her tax affairs is expected to intensify in the coming days. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.
