Chancellor Rachel Reeves has apologised after admitting she failed to obtain a required licence before letting out her south London home. The revelation comes less than a month before she is due to deliver the Budget, adding pressure on the government.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accepted Reeves's apology, with the chancellor stating she was unaware a licence was needed. However, emails later emerged showing that the letting agent had informed her husband of the requirement and offered to submit the application, but failed to do so after resigning before the tenancy started.
Reeves told the prime minister she took 'full responsibility' for the oversight and expressed regret for not discovering the information sooner. The estate agent involved has admitted an 'oversight' in the matter.
Despite the agent's admission, the Conservative Party has called for a further investigation, criticising Reeves for not following up with the agent. The incident has raised questions about the chancellor's attention to detail ahead of a crucial fiscal event.
