"Angela Rayner is battling for her political survival after she admitted underpaying stamp duty on her 800,000 seaside flat and referred herself to the ministerial ethics adviser after days of denials of wrongdoing. The deputy prime minister confirmed her tax arrangements after coming under intense pressure to be more transparent about her properties, but has been left with her reputation damaged and future hanging in the balance."
"The controversy comes as the prime minister faces a turbulent autumn, with tax rises expected to be announced in the 26 November budget, which will arrive against a difficult economic backdrop. Rayner, who is also the housing secretary, has faced charges of hypocrisy as tax rises could include those on property. She has also previously called for wealth taxes to help ease the UK's strained public finances, including targeting people who used companies to avoid stamp duty."
Angela Rayner admitted underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 Hove flat and has referred herself to the ministerial ethics adviser after initial denials. She says she received inaccurate legal advice and will pay additional duty, with experts estimating the extra bill could reach about £40,000. Keir Starmer publicly backed her, while Downing Street declined to say when he was informed. An ethics inquiry could conclude within days. Rayner, also housing secretary, faces hypocrisy charges given looming tax rises and her prior calls for wealth taxes; her political fate may depend on proving incorrect legal advice.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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