DOMINIC Cummings and his family, who have avoided paying at least £30,000 in backdated council tax on their two extra properties, will have been treated the same as everyone else, according to the Government body behind the decision.

The Valuation Office Agency has said the two homes at North Lodge farm, near Durham, will be liable for council tax from this month.

Work to create the political advisor’s infamous ‘lockdown cottage’ and his sister’s family home dates back to 2002, not long after the family bought the property, which sits just off the A167 Darlington Road.

The Northern Echo:

Durham County Council confirmed they were built in breach of planning regulations, and the matter was referred to the VOA, which has now confirmed both homes are now also liable for council tax.

The charges payable to the local authority amount to around £3,000 a month and Durham City MP Mary Foy has said she was surprised to learn it will not be backdated.

The VOA, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs, does not comment on individual cases, but sent a statement to the Northern Echo after it was revealed council tax would now be owed on the properties.

The statement said: “We treat all council taxpayers equally and in accordance with the law.

“Changes to show multiple self-contained units would not be backdated.

“If the property has remained in your ownership during the period when any changes were made there would not typically be backdated liabilities.”

Dominic Cummings' £30k unpaid council tax bill 'written off'

Many Northern Echo readers have expressed anger that the charge is not being backdated and suggested that double standards were being applied as Mr Cummings works for Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Tax Payers’ Alliance said: “Every Dom, Dick and Harry should be paying the required level of council tax.

"This silly saga shows that the council tax valuations system, based on outdated assessments, is plainly nonsensical and in need of serious reform."