Defence Secretary John Healey faces significant political embarrassment after it emerged he underpaid nearly £1,500 in council tax on his Westminster second home due to an administrative error by the local authority.
The Council Tax Controversy Explained
Westminster Council admitted full responsibility for what it described as an 'oversight' that led to John Healey being incorrectly billed for his London flat. Following the introduction of the second home council charge surcharge this year, the defence secretary's council tax bill should have effectively doubled to £2,938.
Mr Healey's spokesman confirmed the minister had fulfilled his obligations by notifying Westminster Council that the property was a second home when his tenancy began in November last year. However, the council billed him as if it was his primary residence, charging only half the amount due.
Political Fallout and Tory Criticism
The situation has proven particularly awkward for the Labour government, which has seen several senior figures face questions about their financial affairs. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake didn't hold back in his criticism of the defence secretary.
'Whether it's the anti-corruption minister being investigated for corruption, the homelessness minister who evicted her own tenants, or the housing secretary who failed to pay her stamp duty, with this Government it is one rule for them and another for everyone else,' Hollinrake stated.
He added: 'Now we learn the Defence Secretary underpaid his council tax. This comes as the Labour Government is hiking council tax bills for everyone else across the country. Healey needs to come clean about what he knew and when.'
Resolution and Wider Context
Westminster Council has rectified the mistake and issued an apology, while Mr Healey has now paid the full council tax liability, including the second homes surcharge. Allies of the defence secretary emphasised there could have been no financial gain from the underpayment as the tax is covered by his MP expenses.
The controversy follows other high-profile cases involving Labour figures. Angela Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister in September after failing to pay £40,000 in stamp duty, while Rachel Reeves faced calls to quit after breaking the law by not acquiring the required licence to rent out her London property.
The second home surcharge, introduced by the previous Conservative government, has been adopted by more than 200 councils since coming into force in April this year.
