US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Defence Secretary underpaid council tax on London home: Report
John Healey paid the full council tax after a Westminster City Council administrative error caused an undercharge of about £1,500 due to a second-home surcharge.
- On Thursday, Defence Secretary John Healey admitted he underpaid council tax on his London flat and settled the full liability after The Telegraph approached him.
- An administrative error by Westminster City Council failed to register the London flat as a second home, issuing an incorrect council tax notice and apologising for the oversight.
- After a second‑home surcharge took effect in April, Mr Healey underpaid approximately £1,500, having paid only half of the £2,938 annual bill.
- Amid wider criticism, Conservative figures said questions remain about the episode while opposition critics urged Defence Secretary Healey to 'come clean' about what he knew and when.
- MP rules allow MPs representing constituencies outside London to claim second-home costs, and a source close to the Cabinet minister said he paid the notice in good faith while a PAA spokesman for Mr Healey confirmed he declared the status.
Insights by Ground AI
12 Articles
12 Articles
In the Dock: Man ordered to pay £5k in unpaid council tax and more cases
Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court: Man ordered to pay £5,233.63 in council tax arrears. Court round-up includes breaches of community orders and being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the alcohol limit.
·Basingstoke, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 18%
C 46%
R 36%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
