UK political party spending tops £100m
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33860338 Version 0 of 1. Britain's political parties spent more than £100m in 2014, new figures from the elections watchdog show. The Conservatives narrowly outspent Labour in the build-up to this year's general election, declaring £36,9m. Labour spent £35.3m during the same period, with Lib Dems declaring £8.8m, the SNP £7.2m and UKIP £6.7m. The Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems recorded surpluses in 2014 while the SNP and UKIP spent more than they earned, the Electoral Commission said. Across all parties, £107.5m was received in income against £101.3m in spending. Two parties were granted an extension to the original 7 July deadline. The Scottish Green Party handed in its accounts on the agreed 31 July deadline. The BNP missed a second deadline of 7 August and is to be investigated by the commission. |