Mr BrigoPedant.Do you support her on this Mr Brigo ?'Angela Rayner has been branded a hypocrite for buying a seaside apartment as her own department warns against the impact of second homes'.'When has she "preached the evils of 2 homes"?In this direct manner, probably not.But look not only at her property portfolio, but what is rumoured to be in the next Budget from the Labour Government.The problem only arises because this particular MP is an avowed socialist who happens to be second-in-command (and some say Prime Minister in waiting) of a Government that is doing its damnedest to make life harder for ordinary homeowners.Last week rumours abounded that the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is brewing up an unpleasant cocktail of measures for her forthcoming Budget that could include higher council tax for large houses, plus capital gains tax on people selling their main homes for more than £1.5 million.Ms Rayner herself has piloted the Renters’ Rights Bill through the Commons, which will have the intended effect of making life miserable for landlords. One draconian clause would prevent them from re-listing their properties for a year if they try – and fail – to sell up. No rent for a whole year.Then there is the new measure (albeit inherited from the Tories) allowing Town Halls to levy an extra 100 per cent council tax charge on second homes. Three Pads Rayner is an enthusiastic proponent and with a £159,584 salary she can afford to pay it."Ms Rayner herself has declared that Britain is in 'the middle of the most acute housing crisis in living memory', while Sir Keir Starmer has warned that second homes 'can impact the availability and affordability' of local properties.'Here's where the hypocrisy starts.The 45-year-old Deputy Prime Minister already owns a large family property in her Greater Manchester constituency and has use of a grace-and-favour apartment in historic Admiralty House in Westminster. Yet one of her junior ministers has repeatedly hit out at the damage caused by the wealthy buying up boltholes for themselves or to rent out in popular areas, pricing locals out of the market.Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has spoken in Parliament about the 'negative impacts of excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes', which affect 'local services' as well as 'the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent'.And he has told MPs that the housing department - which has already given town halls the power to double council tax on second homes - wants to 'give local communities more power to tackle some of those problems'.Sources close to Ms Rayner told the Telegraph that she would be using the three-bed flat in Hove as a base while working in London despite having access to grace-and-favour flat in Admiralty House in the capital.Oh, I see this flat will make it easier to get to work and solve the housing crisis.Just walk to Brighton Station, take a one hour train journey to Victoria Station then a thirty minute walk to the HoC.Or a cab on expenses !
John Hawkes ● 10d