Defence Secretary John Healey Caught Underpaying £1,500 Council Tax on Swanky London Flat
Half Council Tax Paid on Band G Flat in Central London
Defence Secretary and Labour MP John Healey has admitted to underpaying £1,469 in council tax on his luxurious London flat.
The Bill relates to the 2025/26 tax year when Healey paid just half of the required £2,938. His property sits in Westminster’s top tax bracket – Band G – meaning it carries a hefty 200% premium thanks to the Levelling Up Act 2023, which came into force in April 2025.
Healey’s flat is treated as a second home since he uses it only when Parliament is in session, triggering the steep surcharge under Westminster’s tough new rules for second properties.
Tory MPs Blast Labour’s ‘Hypocrisy’ Over Tax Slip-Up
The underpayment, blamed on an “administrative error” by Westminster City Council, was reportedly settled the same day reporters raised the issue on November 20, 2025.
“This was due to an error in the council’s billing system, which John fixed straight away once informed,” said a Healey spokesperson.
But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wasn’t impressed, slamming it as “hypocritical” given Labour’s recent hardline stance on taxing second homes and clamping down on landlords to fund social housing.
No fines or penalties have been issued since this was deemed an unintentional billing error, not deliberate tax evasion.
Council Tax Chaos in London Amid New Premium Confusion
Westminster Council, Labour-controlled since May 2025, has raked in an extra £20 million from the new premiums but now faces over 5,000 appeals from disgruntled property owners disputing their bills.
The council’s billing mess reflects the growing pain of implementing dramatic tax hikes aimed at tackling London’s housing crisis by slugging owners of empty and second homes.
Healey’s case highlights nationwide confusion as councils roll out differing premium levels. In Wales, second-home taxes jumped 100%, while Scotland imposed a staggering 300% surcharge.
No Foul Play, Just a Warning on Council Tax Tech
Healey quickly cleared his outstanding bill, with his office stressing his spotless record on tax payments. “John has always paid fully and promptly. This was a council blunder, now fixed,” they said.
The Defence Secretary’s ordeal isn’t unique. A recent National Audit Office report found 10% of council tax bills contained errors due to system glitches or misclassification.
As Labour pushes for the first council tax revaluation since 1991 amid fierce debates over property wealth and housing shortages, Healey’s billing blunder is a timely reminder that tax technology must catch up with policy.
Westminster Council declined to comment on Healey’s case but admitted the new billing system still faces serious challenges.
