Defence Secretary John Healey has paid a substantial council tax bill after it was revealed he had underpaid on his London property due to an error by the local authority.
Council Tax Blunder Uncovered
Westminster City Council has admitted full responsibility for an administrative mistake that led to the Defence Secretary underpaying approximately £1,500 in council tax. The error occurred when the council failed to correctly apply a second home council tax surcharge that came into effect in April.
Mr Healey had properly declared the property as a second home when his tenancy began, fulfilling all his legal obligations. The oversight was entirely on the council's part, which issued an incorrect tax notice to the cabinet minister.
Resolution and Payment
Following the discovery of the mistake, Westminster City Council issued a formal apology to Mr Healey and acknowledged their responsibility for the error. The local authority confirmed that the Defence Secretary has now paid the full amount owed, including the previously unapplied surcharge.
The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in council tax administration systems, even when dealing with high-profile government figures. A council spokesperson expressed regret for the error and confirmed that processes are being reviewed to prevent similar occurrences.
Political Context and Transparency
This revelation comes at a time when political figures are under increased scrutiny regarding their financial affairs and tax compliance. The timely settlement of the outstanding amount demonstrates the importance of transparency in such matters.
The Defence Secretary's office has been fully cooperative throughout the process, providing all necessary documentation to resolve the matter promptly once the council's error was identified.
