UK Deputy PM Rayner Admits Underpaying £40k Stamp Duty on Second Home

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has admitted to underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove due to reliance on incorrect legal advice, which failed to account for complex tax provisions related to a trust set up for her disabled son. The miscalculation could cost her an additional £40,000 plus interest and potential penalties, and she has voluntarily referred herself to Labour leader Keir Starmer’s ethics adviser while pledging to pay the outstanding amount. The controversy has drawn criticism within her own party and from political opponents, highlighting concerns over hypocrisy and double standards, particularly given Rayner's role as Labour’s housing secretary and her previous public stance against tax avoidance. Some Labour MPs worry the scandal may damage her future leadership ambitions, though others see the attacks as potential badges of honor amid political battles. The situation also raises wider issues about the treatment of disabled individuals and social class mobility, as Rayner is notable for rising from a working-class background to high political office but is now scrutinized for her property ownership and tax affairs. Despite the backlash, Rayner maintains she has not broken any laws and expresses deep regret over the error.