Angela Rayner, the UK’s Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, is facing the most turbulent period of her political career after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove. The controversy, which erupted in early September 2025, has ignited a fierce debate across the political spectrum, exposing deep divisions within Parliament and raising questions about leadership, class, and the standards expected of public officials.
The saga began when Rayner, after days of insisting she had complied with the law, revealed she had in fact paid £40,000 less in stamp duty than was legally due on a property purchase in May 2025. According to iNews, Rayner removed her name from the deeds of her family home in Ashton-under-Lyne, allowing her to classify the Hove flat as her sole property and thus avoid the higher tax rate. The family home, she explained, had been placed in a trust for her son, who suffers from lifelong disabilities following an injury, and the move was intended to secure his financial future after her divorce.
Rayner’s admission came only after intense media scrutiny and the lifting of a court order that had previously prevented her from discussing the details. In a tearful interview on Sky News, she stated, “I don’t own the property. I only own one property that is mortgaged like most people. But because of the nature of the trust that was set up by the court, that I would be liable to pay the additional stamp duty.” She added, “As soon as I knew that that was the case, I have alerted and referred myself to the independent adviser on the Ministerial Code to ensure that they can look transparently at what has happened, and also contacted HMRC to say that there is additional tax owing on this, and that I’m prepared to pay that and fully comply with the HMRC as well.”
Rayner claimed that her underpayment was the result of incorrect legal advice. “I thought I’d done everything properly, and 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,” she told the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, as reported by iNews. However, this defense has been met with skepticism from both allies and adversaries. As Sky News noted, some question whether she can substantiate her claim of “duff advice by a solicitor,” with the fate of her career potentially resting on the findings of Parliament’s independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus.
The response from across the political spectrum has been swift and, at times, brutal. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch led calls for Rayner’s resignation, declaring at Prime Minister’s Questions, “If he had a backbone, he would sack her.” Reform UK’s Richard Tice echoed the sentiment, telling Sky News, “She was so vocal in attacking opposing politicians when she was in opposition that she can’t stand up and say, ‘I’m the biggest hypocrite in the land.’ She has to offer her resignation to the Prime Minister.” Even George Galloway, a frequent critic from the left, branded her “a lowlife” and accused her of being “on the make.”
Yet, Rayner has not been without defenders. Trade union leaders have rallied to her side, with TUC general secretary Paul Nowak telling Sky News, “Angela Rayner comes under sustained coverage because she’s a working-class woman in a way that frankly Nigel Farage, leading members of the shadow cabinet, never would. I think there’s a real heavy dose of misogyny when it comes to Angela. I wouldn’t want to see her hounded out of an important role by right wing politicians and the right wing media who frankly can’t handle the fact that a working class woman is our deputy prime minister.” Even some political opponents, such as Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, expressed sympathy, drawing parallels to his own concerns as a parent of a disabled child.
Labour leader Keir Starmer has publicly backed his embattled deputy, declaring at Prime Minister’s Questions on September 3, “I’m very proud to sit alongside her.” According to Sky News, Starmer and other senior Labour figures offered visible support in the Commons, with gestures of solidarity that did not go unnoticed by observers. Nevertheless, the controversy has cast a shadow over the government’s agenda, threatening to derail preparations for a critical Budget in November and forcing Starmer into a delicate balancing act.
The political stakes are high. Rayner’s popularity on the left and her role in easing tensions over welfare reforms have made her a key figure in the Labour Party. However, as iNews pointed out, the loss of Rayner would have “huge ramifications for the Government,” potentially triggering a wider Cabinet reshuffle and destabilizing the party’s leadership dynamics. The ethics investigation, which could take weeks or months, leaves Rayner’s future—and that of the government—in limbo.
Meanwhile, the opposition has seized on the scandal to accuse the Prime Minister of hypocrisy. Tories have pointed to Starmer’s past statements on tax evasion, noting that he once said, “Any politician who seeks to avoid the taxes they owe in this country is not fit to be in charge of taxpayer money.” Now, with Rayner in the firing line, they argue that Starmer’s stance has softened, undermining his credibility. Downing Street, however, insists that Starmer has “full confidence” in Rayner, though it has declined to say whether she would be sacked if found to have breached ministerial standards.
Public reaction has been predictably polarized. Social media has been awash with both condemnation and support, reflecting broader cultural and class divides. Critics have labeled Rayner a “property tax dodging, freeloading deputy prime minister,” as Priti Patel put it, while supporters argue that she is being unfairly targeted because of her background. The debate has also reignited longstanding tensions about transparency and accountability in British politics, with some Labour MPs acknowledging that the story “has been able to run because there’s been insufficient transparency around her finances.”
Tax experts have weighed in as well. Andrew Marr of Forbes Dawson told iNews, “It is beyond doubt Ms Rayner misreported her SDLT [stamp duty land tax] because she paid £40,000 less than what was legally due. I suspect the ethics committee will want to focus on whether she paid due care and attention to getting it right in the first place. There is nothing ethically wrong with ‘avoiding’ the surcharge by disposing of another property first. The legislation is meant to be used that way. The problem will arise if the Deputy Prime Minister failed to take proper advice at the outset.”
Despite the mounting pressure, Rayner has not ruled out resignation. She admitted to Sky News that she had “spoken to my family about it” and was “in shock, really,” upon learning of the error. Still, she has referred herself to the independent adviser and contacted HMRC to rectify the tax owed, actions that some see as evidence of good faith.
As the ethics probe unfolds, Rayner’s political survival hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only determine her own fate but could reshape the Labour Party’s future and influence the government’s ability to deliver on its promises. For now, both supporters and detractors are watching closely, knowing that the stakes could hardly be higher.
