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Political reporter Paul Seddon reported that Angela Rayner confessed to not paying enough tax on her second home and has taken steps to rectify this with HMRC. Rayner disclosed that she had underpaid stamp duty when purchasing her £800,000 flat in Hove, with the Prime Minister endorsing her. The deputy prime minister admitted that the arrangements regarding her family home in Greater Manchester should have entailed a higher rate of payment and attributed the error to initial legal counsel that did not fully consider the situation.
Despite facing pressure to resign, Rayner has reached out to HMRC to determine the necessary tax payments and has referred herself for investigation by the PM’s standards adviser. This development has put Rayner in a challenging position, especially since she had been vocal in criticizing Tory ministers before Labour’s assumption of office last year. Her oversight could potentially pose repercussions for Sir Keir as Rayner, who also serves as Labour’s deputy leader, is a crucial link to the left wing of the party and the unions that offer support.
Rayner clarified that she had paid the standard stamp duty rate initially based on legal advice she received when buying the Hove flat. However, subsequent legal consultation revealed intricate provisions necessitating a higher stamp duty payment due to her family home arrangements. She expressed regret for the oversight and emphasized her commitment to resolving the matter transparently. Meanwhile, Downing Street has not outlined the inquiry’s terms to be conducted by the PM’s adviser on ministerial interests, Sir Laurie Magnus.
Rayner’s disclosure also shed light on a trust that was previously undisclosed, with additional details unveiled following the lifting of a court order. Despite facing criticism, Rayner maintained that her priority had always been the wellbeing of her children. While Sir Keir publicly supported her amidst the backlash, questions persist regarding the timing of the additional legal advice she received. Furthermore, the Tories have raised doubts about the classification of Rayner’s main home for council tax purposes, questioning whether her grace-and-favour flat in central London should take precedence over her Ashton-under-Lyne residence
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