Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary, has recently come under significant political scrutiny over her ownership of three properties, sparking accusations of hypocrisy amidst her department’s warnings about the negative impact of second homes on local communities. Rayner owns a constituency home in Ashton-under-Lyne, a ministerial apartment at Admiralty House in Westminster, and has now purchased a seaside flat near Brighton for over £700,000. While her office confirmed she pays full council tax on her Manchester property and the second-home premium on the Brighton flat, her Admiralty House residence's council tax is managed by the Cabinet Office and Westminster Council, as is standard for ministerial residences.

The controversy centres on Rayner’s reticence to disclose which property she designates as her primary residence for council tax purposes. The Conservative Party seized on this, criticising her for a perceived lack of transparency and questioning her credibility, particularly given her role in overseeing policies that allow councils to double council tax levies on second homes. Tory Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly told The Sun that Rayner’s stance on her tax affairs contrasts sharply with her public lectures on ethics and integrity, undermining her position.

The debate highlights a wider issue in UK housing policy. Rayner’s department has raised concerns about the "negative impacts of excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes," which are said to strain local services and reduce housing availability and affordability for residents. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has spoken in Parliament about these challenges, particularly as they affect communities' ability to find stable, long-term accommodation. Critics argue that Rayner’s purchase of a third property runs counter to the spirit of these warnings, fuelling accusations of hypocrisy.

Further compounding Rayner’s difficulties is an ongoing review related to her sale of a former council house in Stockport. She bought the property under the right-to-buy scheme in 2007 and sold it in 2015 for a £48,500 profit. Questions have been raised about whether she should have paid capital gains tax on the sale, given that she may not have declared it as her main residence. Rayner maintains that she acted lawfully, supported by tax advice, and denies any wrongdoing. The Greater Manchester Police are currently reviewing the matter following a complaint from Conservative MP James Daly. Meanwhile, Rayner has refused to disclose the tax advice she received unless Conservative MPs publish their own financial records, framing her privacy as a matter of principle.

Supporters of Rayner argue that the attacks are politically motivated attempts to distract from broader housing issues and upcoming local elections. Senior Labour MP David Lammy has defended her, noting that many families own and live in more than one home. He emphasised that Rayner had sought appropriate tax advice and cautioned against singling her out unfairly, highlighting her background as a northern woman with a blended family.

However, critics remain unconvinced. Sir Alistair Graham, former head of the standards watchdog, has called for a full police investigation into the tax row surrounding her council house sale, pointing to the complexities of the tax rules applicable to primary residences and second homes. This high-profile scrutiny reflects broader public concerns about political figures’ transparency and integrity in property matters, especially as the housing crisis continues to dominate the national agenda.

The situation encapsulates the tensions in UK politics around housing policy, tax transparency, and political accountability. While Angela Rayner insists she has acted within the law and responsibly, the accumulation of these property-related controversies underscores the challenges politicians face when private circumstances intersect with public policy roles.

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Source: Noah Wire Services