Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces scrutiny over rental licence violation
Chancellor Rachel Reeves could be compelled to resign from her Cabinet position after it emerged that she rented out her family home without securing a necessary licence, reports BritPanorama.
Reeves has acknowledged the oversight, informing her party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, about the issue on Wednesday evening. Following this, she voluntarily referred herself to the independent ethics adviser.
The Chancellor moved her family into No 11 Downing Street, but failed to obtain a rental licence for her Dulwich residence, where she listed the four-bedroom home for £3,200 a month last year. According to the official register of interests, she has been receiving rental income since September 2024.
A representative for Reeves described the situation as an “inadvertent mistake,” stating she has since submitted an application for the requisite licence to Southwark Council. It has been clarified that although she was not previously aware of the licensing requirement, she took swift action upon being informed. “In the spirit of transparency, she has informed the Prime Minister, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards, and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards,” they added.
Responses from within the political sphere have been sharp. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch remarked, “If the Chancellor, who has spent months floating punishing tax hikes on family homes, has at the same time seemingly been profiting from illegally renting out her house, that would make her position extremely tenuous.” Badenoch called for a thorough investigation, echoing the sentiment that lawmakers must adhere to the law they establish.
This incident follows the resignation of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who left her position over a separate housing scandal involving unpaid stamp duty. The revelation underscores a growing concern regarding transparency and adherence to legal standards among government officials.
As the political landscape remains turbulent, calls for accountability are intensifying, challenging leaders to maintain not only effective governance but also ethical standards.
In the wake of these revelations, the importance of maintaining integrity within public office is being scrutinised more fiercely than ever. The potential consequences for Reeves serve as a reminder of the high standards expected from those in positions of power.
