Angela Rayner
Angela Rayner (born March 1980) is a British Labour Party politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashton-under-Lyne since 2015.[1] She held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government from 5 July 2024 until her resignation on 5 September 2025, alongside serving as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from April 2020 until the same date.[2][1] Born Angela Bowen in Stockport, Greater Manchester, Rayner grew up on a council estate, left school without qualifications at age 16, and worked as a care assistant before rising through trade union ranks with Unison, where she became a regional official.[3] Her political ascent included shadow cabinet roles such as Education Secretary from 2016 to 2020, reflecting her advocacy for working-class issues and employment rights, though her tenure as Deputy Prime Minister was marked by efforts to advance Labour's housing construction pledges amid internal party tensions.[1] Rayner's career has been defined by controversies, including questions over her educational qualifications and, decisively, her resignation following admissions of underpaying approximately £40,000 in stamp duty on an £800,000 property purchase in Hove, which she acknowledged after investigations revealed discrepancies in tax declarations.[4][5] Earlier scrutiny involved potential capital gains tax liabilities and electoral registration issues related to a 2015 property sale, though Greater Manchester Police concluded in 2024 that no criminal offenses occurred.[6]