Source: YouGov tracker, June 2026. GB adults.
Background & Political Career
Angela Rayner was born in 1980 in Stockport and grew up on a council estate in Vicarage Estate, Failsworth. She left school at 16 without formal qualifications and worked as a home carer before becoming active in UNISON, the public services union. She rose through the union movement and was elected MP for Ashton-under-Lyne in 2015.
Rayner became Shadow Deputy Leader of the Labour Party in 2020 and was elected Deputy Leader in a membership vote that same year, defeating four other candidates. Under Keir Starmer she served as Shadow First Secretary of State and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work.
Following Labour’s victory at the July 2024 general election, Rayner was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government — one of the most powerful domestic briefs in the Cabinet. Her portfolio covers England’s 1.5 million homes housebuilding target, the Renters Rights Act, planning reform and devolution to English city regions.
| Date | Event | Approval Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | Appointed Deputy PM and Housing Secretary after Labour landslide | Positive — initial +5 net |
| Oct 2024 | Budget backlash; associated with winter fuel cut decision | -8 points swing |
| Dec 2024 | Renters Rights Bill passes Commons; praised by housing groups | Slight recovery among renters |
| Feb 2025 | Housing targets miss Q2 milestone; media pressure | -4 points |
| Jun 2025 | Devolution deal signed for West Yorkshire and East Midlands | Neutral nationally |
| Jan 2026 | Planning reform passes; new green belt designation framework | +3 points among homeowners |
| May 2026 | Net approval stabilises at -25 | Stable |
Approval by Demographic Group
Rayner’s approval follows a sharp left-right and age-gender gradient. Her strongest support base is Labour voters (net +34) and younger women. She is deeply unpopular among Conservative and Reform voters, and her approval drops steeply among older age groups — a pattern that mirrors the overall trajectory of the Labour government.
| Group | Approve | Disapprove | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | 38% | 38% | 0 |
| 25–34 | 34% | 44% | −10 |
| 35–49 | 30% | 54% | −24 |
| 50–64 | 26% | 60% | −34 |
| 65+ | 24% | 62% | −38 |
| Men | 28% | 57% | −29 |
| Women | 32% | 53% | −21 |
| Degree-educated | 36% | 50% | −14 |
| No degree | 26% | 58% | −32 |
| Labour voters | 62% | 28% | +34 |
| Conservative voters | 14% | 68% | −54 |
| Reform voters | 8% | 75% | −67 |
Source: YouGov demographic crosstabs, May 2026. GB adults.
Approval Rating Trend: 2024–2026
▼ Net negative since Oct 2024Net approval = approve % minus disapprove %. Source: YouGov monthly tracker, GB adults.
Key Controversies
Council House Sale Investigation (2023–2024)
In April 2023, the Mail on Sunday reported that Rayner may have misrepresented which property was her primary residence when selling a Right to Buy council house in Stockport, potentially reducing a capital gains tax liability. Rayner denied any wrongdoing.
Greater Manchester Police launched an inquiry after pressure from Conservative MPs and local councillors. After a 13-month investigation, the force closed the case in May 2024, stating that there was insufficient evidence to justify a charging decision. The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the file and confirmed no charges would be brought.
Rayner described the investigation as a politically-motivated campaign to undermine her. The episode kept her name in negative headlines during the run-up to the 2024 general election and contributed to a 7-point dip in awareness-adjusted approval among voters who followed the story closely.
Housing Targets Under Pressure (2025)
Rayner inherited an ambitious pledge to build 1.5 million homes over the Parliament. By mid-2025, quarterly housebuilding statistics showed England was running approximately 20% below the trajectory needed to hit the target. Opposition parties and housing charities used the data to argue the government’s planning reforms were not moving fast enough.
Policy Record as Deputy PM
Flagship pledge to build 1.5 million homes across England by 2029, backed by relaxed green belt rules and mandatory local housing targets.
Abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions, introduced stronger rent increase controls and extended minimum notice periods for landlords.
Signed devolution deals with nine English regions including West Yorkshire, East Midlands and the North East, expanding mayoral powers over transport, skills and housing.
Revised the National Planning Policy Framework to restore mandatory housing targets removed by the previous government, and expanded grey belt land designations to unlock more development sites.
Housing Policy: Voter Attitudes
Housing is the policy area Rayner has staked her reputation on. Polling shows broad support for the goals of the government’s housing programme — particularly on Renters Rights and housebuilding — but growing scepticism about delivery timelines. 61% say the government is “not building enough homes fast enough.”
| Policy | Net | Support | Oppose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abolish Section 21 no-fault evictions | +52 | 68% | 16% | Cross-partisan: Labour 82%, Con 55%, Reform 44% |
| Build 1.5 million homes in this Parliament | +28 | 56% | 28% | Labour 74%, Con 44%, Reform 38% |
| Stronger rent increase controls on landlords | +34 | 61% | 27% | Renters most supportive (79%); landlords 18% |
| Mandatory local housing targets for councils | +14 | 51% | 37% | Labour 68%, Con 39%; suburban opposition significant |
| Build on grey belt land | −4 | 43% | 47% | Urban voters +18; suburban opposition strong |
| Extend Right to Buy to housing association tenants | +22 | 54% | 32% | Con 71%, Labour 46%, Reform 68% |
| Stamp duty reform to help first-time buyers | +44 | 66% | 22% | Near-universal; 25–34s strongest at 78% |
| Devolve planning powers to metro mayors | +6 | 44% | 38% | Urban 54%, rural 34% |
Source: YouGov, Ipsos housing polling, 2025–2026. GB adults.
Polling Outlook
Rayner’s approval trajectory broadly mirrors the Labour government’s overall standing, which declined sharply through 2024 and into early 2025 before showing modest stabilisation. Her personal approval tends to run 8 to 10 points above Keir Starmer’s, suggesting she retains a somewhat stronger personal brand within Labour’s traditional working-class coalition.
Key polling risks include continued underperformance against the 1.5 million homes target and any renewed scrutiny of the cleared council house case. Among Labour members she retains high approval, with internal party polling suggesting over 60% of members rate her performance as good or very good.
| Month | Approve % | Disapprove % | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2024 | 41% | 36% | +5 |
| Sep 2024 | 38% | 40% | −2 |
| Nov 2024 | 34% | 48% | −14 |
| Jan 2025 | 32% | 54% | −22 |
| Mar 2025 | 30% | 59% | −29 |
| Jun 2025 | 31% | 57% | −26 |
| Sep 2025 | 31% | 56% | −25 |
| Jan 2026 | 30% | 55% | −25 |
| May 2026 | 30% | 55% | −25 |
Source: YouGov tracker, GB adults.
Labour Cabinet: Net Approval Comparison
Among senior Labour Cabinet figures tracked in June 2026, Rayner’s net approval of -25 places her third-best. She consistently polls above Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves, the two figures most associated with the unpopular October 2024 Budget decisions on winter fuel and employer National Insurance.
Net approval (approve minus disapprove). Source: YouGov tracker, June 2026. GB adults. Rayner highlighted.
Related Analysis
Rayner Approval Tracker
Full monthly trend data, demographic breakdown, and comparison with other Labour figures. May 2026 update.
Keir Starmer
Prime Minister — net approval -44.8. Full approval trend and issue trust ratings.
Rachel Reeves
Chancellor — net approval -28. Budget impact and economic trust polling.
Wes Streeting
Health Secretary — net approval -18. NHS reform agenda and YouGov tracker.
Labour Manifesto 2024
Rayner is responsible for housing delivery. How is Labour tracking on its 1.5 million homes pledge?
Housing Policy Polling
Voter attitudes to housebuilding, renters rights, and planning reform — the issues Rayner owns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Angela Rayner’s approval rating in 2026?
As of June 2026, Angela Rayner holds a net approval rating of approximately -25, with around 30% of the public approving and 55% disapproving. This has been stable since mid-2025 after declining sharply following the October 2024 Budget. She consistently polls 8–19 points above Keir Starmer, who stands at net -45%.
What was the Angela Rayner housing controversy?
In April 2023, the Mail on Sunday reported that Rayner may have misrepresented her primary residence when selling a Right to Buy council house in Stockport, potentially affecting a capital gains tax liability. Rayner denied any wrongdoing. Greater Manchester Police launched an inquiry after pressure from Conservative MPs and investigated for 13 months before closing the case in May 2024, citing insufficient evidence to justify a charging decision.
Was Angela Rayner cleared of misconduct?
Yes. Greater Manchester Police formally closed the investigation in May 2024. The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the file and agreed no charges should be brought. Rayner described the investigation as a politically motivated campaign. The episode contributed to a 7-point dip in approval among voters who followed it closely but did not prevent Labour’s 2024 landslide election win.
What policies is Angela Rayner responsible for as Deputy PM?
As Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rayner oversees the 1.5 million homes housebuilding target, planning reform through the revised National Planning Policy Framework, the Renters Rights Act which abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions, the grey belt land classification, and nine English devolution deals including West Yorkshire, East Midlands and the North East.
What do voters think about the Renters Rights Act?
The abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions polls at +52 net (68% support, 16% oppose) — one of the most popular individual measures in Labour’s housing programme, with cross-party support including 55% of Conservative voters. Stronger rent controls poll at +34 net. However, only 36% of the public say the government is delivering enough on housing overall, and 61% believe the 1.5 million homes target will not be met in this Parliament.
How does Angela Rayner compare to other Labour Cabinet ministers?
Among senior Labour Cabinet figures tracked by YouGov in May 2026, Rayner’s net approval of -25 places her third-best, behind Wes Streeting (-18) and Yvette Cooper (-21). She sits above Bridget Phillipson (-26), David Lammy (-27), Rachel Reeves (-28), Ed Miliband (-31) and Keir Starmer (-44). Among Labour voters specifically, her approval consistently tracks around 12–15 points above Starmer’s, reflecting stronger personal loyalty from the party’s traditional working-class and trade union base.
Video: Further Analysis
Video: The Labour government context for Angela Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister — how the polling collapse affects the dynamics within the government.