Angela Rayner Faces Scrutiny Over Council Tax on Admiralty House

Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is under renewed scrutiny regarding her council tax obligations for her grace-and-favour residence, Admiralty House. Recent allegations suggest that she attempted to evade a council tax surcharge on the property, raising questions about her compliance with tax regulations while serving in government.

The controversy stems from her previous role overseeing council tax policies when Westminster Council implemented a significant **100% surcharge on second homes** in April 2025, a change that directly impacted her £2,034 council tax bill for Admiralty House. This property, valued at **£18 million**, is not only a historic residence but also a focal point of political discussions regarding accountability and transparency.

Questions about Ms. Rayner’s housing arrangements first emerged after **Kevin Hollinrake**, the Conservative Party chairman, inquired whether she considered Admiralty House her primary or secondary home. At the time, she was living part-time in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne and negotiating the purchase of a flat in Hove. The inquiry revealed that Ms. Rayner’s responses had only addressed her council tax responsibilities generally, failing to clarify the status of her residence.

The situation escalated when The Mail on Sunday contacted Ms. Rayner about her tax arrangements. Following their inquiry, she reportedly made a late payment of the second home charge for Admiralty House. The Cabinet Office subsequently confirmed that the property had been designated as a second home and that the payment was made in full as a one-off transaction in **July 2025**.

On **October 21, 2025**, the Cabinet Office informed Mr. Hollinrake that the second homes premium had been settled. It was later revealed that Westminster Council had not been notified of the property’s status until **May 2025**, raising further concerns about the timeline of events.

In a formal letter to Labour leader **Keir Starmer**, Mr. Hollinrake alleged that Ms. Rayner had breached the law while serving as a minister. He emphasized that the new tax premium was due from **April 1, 2025**, contradicting her claims that the council tax obligations were properly managed. He stated, “A taxpayer cannot just choose to pay their bill months later. It is manifestly clear that this July bill was a retrospective payment to address the failure to declare and pay the full tax liability.”

Amid these allegations, a source close to Ms. Rayner defended her actions, asserting that the responsibility for liaising with Westminster Council regarding tax payments lies with the Government. The spokesperson emphasized that Ms. Rayner had fulfilled her obligations as required.

A government representative reiterated that the administration of council tax for Admiralty House fell under the Government’s purview, consistent with practices established by previous administrations.

As Ms. Rayner contemplates a political comeback, this situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by public figures as they navigate the complexities of taxation and accountability in their official roles. The outcome of this scrutiny may have significant implications for her future in politics and the broader conversation surrounding governmental transparency.