A lump sum, equal of 25% of the annual ministerial wage, is payable when a minister stops holding workplace. Departing ministers who’re aged over 65 or are reappointed inside three weeks do not qualify.
The 2025/26 accounts, external for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government document the severance payment for Rayner.
In her first interview since returning to authorities, Rayner was pressed on whether or not she would return the cash.
She instructed Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live: “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.”
Rayner earlier mentioned her criticism of the Conservatives over severance funds got here at a time when there was a “revolving door” which noticed ministers return to authorities “after 40-odd days”.
The Conservatives earlier this week mentioned Rayner had “quit in disgrace and took a £17k payout” final yr.
The celebration 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?”
Rayner’s departure final September got here after the prime minister’s ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, mentioned she had “acted with integrity” however concluded that she had breached the ministerial code.
Sir Laurie mentioned she did get authorized recommendation when shopping for the property, however failed to hunt additional skilled tax recommendation as advisable.
In May, Rayner resolved her tax affairs with HMRC following an investigation, settling £40,000 in unpaid stamp obligation.
The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne mentioned she had been “exonerated” of the accusation that she had “deliberately sought to avoid tax”.
Rayner instructed Matt Chorley: “The situation I went through last year was really difficult, it was difficult for my family, but I felt I’d let people down and I never want to let people down, I want to fight for them.”
Rayner additionally mentioned she has “unfinished business” in authorities, together with on constructing council homes and supporting native authorities.
Burnham has mentioned he desires to ship “the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period”.
Asked for particulars to elucidate what this will seem like, Rayner mentioned she would not present an “exact figure” or present a date for when she considers the post-war interval to have ended.
She mentioned: “We want to aspire to get as far as possible and what we’ve done as a government is put more investment in that, the £39bn for social and affordable housing grant funding that we want to get out the door.”
