Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Questions 90250 and 90239 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, what was the specific date in May that Westminster City Council were notified by the Government that the Ministerial residence of the then Deputy Prime Minister was liable for the second homes premium and the March council tax bill should be re-issued with the premium.

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House. The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.

The Cabinet Office accepts that it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. It is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.