Angela Rayner's lawyers 'increased value of constituency home' by £150k after 'error'

Fresh revelations have emerged in Angela Rayner’s tax affair scandal as it is revealed her constituency home’s value was increased by her lawyers. The former deputy prime minister’s house in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, was bumped up by £150,000 after family lawyers claimed an “error” was made. Official Land Registry papers show the value of the home went from £487,500 to £650,000 in April last year, according to The Sun On Sunday.

The higher valuation of her family home meant Ms Rayner could sell her 25% share of the Greater Manchester home to her son’s trust for £162,000. It is understood that the documents were sent by Swiitch lawyers to the Land Registry in April last year, stating that the original value of the home submitted in May 2023 “was incorrect”.

The paper reportedly contained an apology for the "original error”, where the home was only valued at 75% of its worth.

Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake told the paper: “This raises fresh questions for Angela Rayner that she must answer.

“With the tax authorities already investigating, now is the time for her to be completely transparent about this whole affair and put all the information in the public domain.

“Her resignation does not absolve her of responsibility.

“The public rightfully expect and deserve answers about how the former Deputy Prime Minister was conducting herself in office.

“We will continue to push for these answers.”

A spokesman for Swiitch said: “At the time of lodging papers with the land registry regarding the Ashton- Under-Lyne property, an administrative error was made which bears no wider significance.

“The error was identified, and the matter was resolved satisfactorily with the land registry.”

Ms Rayner resigned after it was revealed she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 Hove property. She admitted underpaying by £40,000 on the apartment bought in May this year, blaming “inaccurate legal advice.”

Ms Rayner used £160,000 from a trust set up for her disabled son to buy the East Sussex property. She revealed that her son had received an award in 2020 and that a trust was then set up to look after his interests.

In January this year, she sold a 25% share of her Ashton-under-Lyne home to the trust for £162,500, and then used the money as a deposit on the flat, which carries a £650,000 mortgage.

Ms Rayner will continue as MP for Ashton-under-Lyne but has also resigned as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, which is a position she held separately from her government positions.