Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted to breaking rules by failing to obtain a rental licence for her south London property before letting it out, just weeks before delivering the budget. Prime Minister Keir Starmer accepted her apology, stating the matter is closed after Reeves claimed she was unaware of the requirement.
However, newly discovered emails reveal that Reeves' letting agent informed her husband that a licence was necessary and offered to submit the application, but failed to do so after resigning before the tenancy began. Reeves has since taken “full responsibility” for the oversight and expressed regret for not uncovering the information sooner.
The Conservatives are calling for a further investigation, arguing that Reeves should have followed up with the agent despite the agent admitting an “oversight.” The scandal has raised questions about the seriousness of the breach and whether the agent's admission exonerates the chancellor.
