Angela Rayner was criticised on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine after it emerged she would not return her £17,000 severance payout upon rejoining the Labour government as Housing Secretary.
Payout controversy
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed Rayner as Housing Secretary, following her resignation from the role in September 2025 after she failed to pay enough tax on her £800,000 flat in Hove. She received the payout after leaving the position.
When asked by Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live if she would give the money back, Rayner said: 'No, my severance payment was given to me at the time, I had worked in government for a period of time and then I came out of government for just under a year.' She added: 'I will be delivering in government again.'
Jeremy Vine segment
On Jeremy Vine's show, the host said: 'So, Angela Rayner got a £17,000 payout when she lost her job as housing secretary. You can basically say she was sacked by Keir Starmer. She's back in the same job. That's the issue. And she's interviewed by Matt Chorley here on BBC Radio 5 Live.' The show played a video of Rayner discussing the Tories' 'lack of shame' when they accepted payouts after leaving government.
After the video, Ali Milani defended Rayner, saying her comments about the Tories came when there was a 'revolving door', implying a difference in their exits and hers.
Criticism from Annabel Denham
Annabel Denham responded with six words: 'Angela Rayner's brass neck is unparalleled.' She added: 'I take much greater issue, however, with resuming the post of Housing Secretary, having been forced to resign over the housing scandal. She did still have to pay the £40,000 stamp duty, which might have meant she wanted the payout.'
Denham also said she believed MPs should be paid more, arguing that the £98,000 salary is not enough to 'attract the best and brightest into politics', and that there would be fewer tax dodging incidents if they had more money.
Conservative reaction
Rayner's decision sparked controversy, with the Conservatives earlier this week stating that Rayner had 'quit in disgrace and took a £17k payout' last year. The party added: 'Now she's got her old job back, will she return the cash? Or is it one rule for Labour, and another for everyone else?'
