Angela Rayner defends severance payment after government return
Angela Rayner has defended not returning a nearly £17,000 severance payment she received when she resigned from government in 2025, after returning to cabinet as Andy Burnham’s Housing Secretary, reports BritPanorama.
The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne received the payment after resigning from her roles as housing secretary, deputy prime minister, and deputy Labour Party leader amid a dispute about her tax affairs. HMRC has since cleared her of any wrongdoing.
During her time in opposition, Ms Rayner was critical of Conservative ministers who accepted similar severance payments — equivalent to a quarter of an annual ministerial salary — for only a few weeks of service during a period marked by significant reshuffles. Conservative leaders have since called for her to repay the severance package.
In her first major broadcast interview following her return, Ms Rayner stated during a conversation with Matt Chorley on BBC 5 Live: “No, my severance payment was given to me at the time. I’d worked in government for a period of time, and then I came out of government for just under a year, I think is the timetable, and I’ll be delivering in government again.”
The continuing debate around her payment reflects broader concerns regarding ministerial accountability and public perception of integrity within government roles. Such dynamics will likely be scrutinised as political narratives evolve in the lead-up to upcoming elections.
