UK Deputy Prime Minister Admits Tax Error
On Wednesday, September 3, UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner acknowledged that she did not pay the correct amount of property tax on a flat purchase, following days of increasing scrutiny regarding her financial dealings.
Rayner, aged 45, announced that she has reported herself to the government’s ethics adviser and informed tax authorities, citing “inaccurate” legal advice as the cause of the error. In a discussion on a Sky News podcast, the housing minister revealed that the situation made her question whether she should step down.
“I’ve been in shock, really, because I thought I’d done everything properly,” Rayner said. “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.”
The issue revolves around her acquisition of an apartment in Hove, southern England. Reports indicated that she evaded £40,000 in stamp duty by removing her name from the deeds of another property in her constituency, making the flat her only owned property. Rayner explained that her lawyers failed to fully account for her personal circumstances, including a trust fund established for her disabled son. Consequently, she noted, the “appropriate stamp duty” was not paid at the time.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his support in parliament, praising Rayner’s transparency in addressing the issue. “She has explained her personal circumstances in detail. She’s gone over and above in setting out the details,” he told MPs, adding he was “proud to sit alongside” her.
Rayner, who left school without qualifications after becoming pregnant at 16, is a prominent figure on Labour’s left wing and is often considered a potential future leader of the party.
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