Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has purchased a third property for over £700,000 on the south coast. The new home is located in Hove, adding to her existing property portfolio which includes a constituency home in Ashton-under-Lyne and access to a grace-and-favour apartment at Admiralty House in Westminster.
Rayner's constituency property was purchased for £375,000 in 2016 and is now valued at £650,000. Morning Star reports the new Hove property was purchased specifically in May 2024 as a three-bedroom flat. Neighbours have reportedly seen her in the area with former Labour MP Sam Tarry, with whom she was known to have been in a relationship.
The purchase comes after Rayner, who also serves as housing secretary, oversaw changes allowing councils to impose a 100 per cent tax premium on second homes. The policy, which came into effect in April, was initially announced by her predecessor Michael Gove and aims to deter wealthy buyers from purchasing additional properties.
Political controversy
Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly accused Rayner of failing to clarify her living arrangements before Parliament. He said: "Angela Rayner is responsible for housing policy, yet she won't even be straight about her own. Time and again she's been asked to declare exactly what properties she owns and where she pays council tax, and time and again she's dodged those questions."
Cleverly added: "That matters, because this is the same deputy prime minister who's hiked taxes on family homes across the country. If she's not prepared to be open about her own affairs while taxing everyone else, the public will wonder what she has to hide." HuffPost UK reports Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake has dubbed her "three pads Ange" in criticism.
A source close to Rayner defended the arrangements, telling reporters: "Angela's work means that she's often had to be in and around London for over a decade now but had always rented a flat for that purpose." The source emphasized her long-standing need for London accommodation due to parliamentary duties.
Property arrangements
After Labour's election victory last year, Rayner declared her constituency home as her primary residence. This allowed her to claim back £1,621 in council tax from the London flat as permitted housing costs reimbursed by Commons authorities.
The Hove property is reported to be Band D, which would entail a £2,455 council tax bill for two people or £1,841 for someone living alone. Under the new policy Rayner oversaw, this would double if classified as a second home. Evening Standard reports neighbours describe the property as a "holiday home."
The controversy emerges as Chancellor Rachel Reeves considers ending capital gains tax exemptions for primary residences above certain thresholds. Such changes could see higher-rate taxpayers pay 24 per cent on property gains, with proposals potentially affecting around 120,000 homeowners.
Sources used: "Mail on Sunday", "Evening Standard", "Morning Star", "HuffPost UK" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
