Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has referred herself to the parliamentary standards watchdog after admitting she did not pay the correct amount of Stamp Duty on her seaside flat in Hove, which she purchased for £800,000.
The admission follows growing media speculation in recent days, with questions raised about whether she met her full tax obligations when completing the purchase. Rayner has now moved to clarify her position, stressing her commitment to transparency and accountability.
At the time of buying the property, Rayner says she relied on legal advice which indicated she was only liable for the standard rate of Stamp Duty. However, further scrutiny has since revealed this advice did not take into account certain technical rules, leaving her with an outstanding liability that could be as much as £40,000.
Rayner explained that she recently sought a fresh opinion from a senior tax counsel after press allegations emerged regarding the transaction. It was this additional review that identified the problem, suggesting she should in fact have paid a higher rate.
Although Rayner did not own any other property when she purchased the Hove flat, the advice she has now received points to “complex deeming provisions” connected to her son’s trust. These rules mean she was liable for additional Stamp Duty that was not factored into the original legal guidance.
She acknowledged that her reliance on the initial advice, which she now accepts was incomplete, resulted in the underpayment. She is currently working with specialist lawyers and HMRC to resolve the issue and ensure all outstanding tax is paid in full.
In her statement, Rayner also emphasised the personal circumstances that influenced her financial decisions at the time. She highlighted the challenges of family life, which in her case include navigating divorce, disability, and the long-term security of her children.
According to Rayner, these personal complexities were central to the way she approached her property purchase, and she underlined that every decision she has made was guided by what she believed to be in her children’s best interests.
Despite the difficulties, Rayner made clear she regrets the error and takes responsibility for the mistake. She has apologised for the oversight and pledged to put things right as quickly as possible.
To reinforce her commitment to openness, Rayner has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. She has said she will give her full cooperation and provide all necessary information to ensure the matter is fully examined.
The move is intended to demonstrate her willingness to uphold the highest standards of public service, especially at a time when questions around the integrity and financial transparency of politicians are frequently in the spotlight.
Stamp Duty errors are not uncommon, particularly in cases where complicated legal rules apply. In Rayner’s case, the involvement of a trust appears to have triggered an additional liability that her lawyers initially overlooked.
For the Deputy Prime Minister, however, the stakes are especially high, as she holds one of the most senior positions in government. Any suggestion of financial impropriety carries political risk, even if the mistake was unintentional.
Rayner has sought to get ahead of the story by taking swift action, hoping to close the issue down before it causes further political damage. By self-referring, she signals her intent to be transparent and proactive, rather than waiting for formal investigations to be launched.
Ultimately, the outcome will depend on the findings of the parliamentary standards watchdog and HMRC. Rayner has vowed to cooperate fully and to ensure that any outstanding tax is repaid, aiming to restore confidence in her handling of the matter and her role in government.
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