Angela Rayner has admitted she did not pay enough stamp duty on her second home. The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the error after intense scrutiny over her property dealings.
Rayner has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards following the revelation. She also revealed she had considered resigning over the matter and discussed quitting with her family.
The Housing Secretary said she received inaccurate tax advice regarding the property transaction. She expressed devastation at the situation, believing she had followed all proper procedures.
Property controversy details
Media reports focused on Rayner's purchase of a flat in Hove and her related tax affairs. She allegedly saved £40,000 in stamp duty by removing her name from the deeds of a family property in her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency.
This move meant the Hove property became the only property she owned for stamp duty purposes. The arrangement allowed her to avoid higher rates typically applied to second home purchases.
Speaking on Sky's Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Rayner said: "I've been in shock, really, because I thought I'd done everything properly, and I relied on the advice that I received and I'm devastated because I've always upheld the rules and always have felt proud to do that."
Personal impact
Rayner emphasised the personal toll the controversy has taken on her family. She explained that confidential clauses were put in place specifically to protect her vulnerable son.
She told the podcast: "That it is devastating for me and the fact that the reason why those confidential clauses were in place was to protect my son, who, through no fault of his own, he's vulnerable, he's got this life-changing, lifelong conditions and I don't want him or anything to do with his day-to-day life, to be subjected to that level of scrutiny."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
