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Tories top party spending table Tories top party spending table
(29 minutes later)
The Conservatives outspent Labour by more than £5m in 2008 according to financial accounts published by the Electoral Commission.The Conservatives outspent Labour by more than £5m in 2008 according to financial accounts published by the Electoral Commission.
The Tories had income of £32.3m and spent £31.9m. Labour, which still owes £11m to supporters who made unsecured loans, received £34m and spent £26.2m.The Tories had income of £32.3m and spent £31.9m. Labour, which still owes £11m to supporters who made unsecured loans, received £34m and spent £26.2m.
The Liberal Democrats got £5.4m and spent just over £6m.The Liberal Democrats got £5.4m and spent just over £6m.
The British National Party has been fined at least £500 after failing to hand over its accounts in time.The British National Party has been fined at least £500 after failing to hand over its accounts in time.
The commission's chief executive, Peter Wardle, said he was "disappointed", adding: "Voters need to be confident that party funding is transparent and that parties will comply with the law."The commission's chief executive, Peter Wardle, said he was "disappointed", adding: "Voters need to be confident that party funding is transparent and that parties will comply with the law."
Web-basedWeb-based
The 2008 figures show the Scottish National Party received just under £1.8m and spent just over £1.7m.The 2008 figures show the Scottish National Party received just under £1.8m and spent just over £1.7m.
The commission's report also shows that Sinn Fein had an income of £1.11m and spent £1.14m.The commission's report also shows that Sinn Fein had an income of £1.11m and spent £1.14m.
The Co-Operative Party received £983,000 and spent a little over £1m. Plaid Cymru, meanwhile, spent £678,000 and received almost £1m. The UK Independence Party was given £602,000 and spent £588,600.The Co-Operative Party received £983,000 and spent a little over £1m. Plaid Cymru, meanwhile, spent £678,000 and received almost £1m. The UK Independence Party was given £602,000 and spent £588,600.
The Green Party received £546,000 and spent £541,000. The Ulster Unionist Party spent £397,000 and received £383,504. And the SDLP had an income of £291,000 and spent £290,000.The Green Party received £546,000 and spent £541,000. The Ulster Unionist Party spent £397,000 and received £383,504. And the SDLP had an income of £291,000 and spent £290,000.
Figures for the Democratic Unionist Party were published separately in May because they involved sums of less than £250,000.Figures for the Democratic Unionist Party were published separately in May because they involved sums of less than £250,000.
In reports filed by the parties, the Conservatives said they were developing their web-based fundraising, a method US President Barack Obama made extensive use of during his election campaign.In reports filed by the parties, the Conservatives said they were developing their web-based fundraising, a method US President Barack Obama made extensive use of during his election campaign.
Pensions deficitPensions deficit
Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft's Bearwood Corporate Services Ltd gave the party a donation of £300,000 and donations in kind of £1.3m.Tory deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft's Bearwood Corporate Services Ltd gave the party a donation of £300,000 and donations in kind of £1.3m.
Labour's statement of accounts includes a report saying its financial position has improved. Labour's statement of accounts includes a report saying its financial position has improved and that it is "extremely grateful" to its lenders.
The party was paid £2.1m plus interest by HM Revenue and Customs after it claimed, successfully, for overpayment of VAT.The party was paid £2.1m plus interest by HM Revenue and Customs after it claimed, successfully, for overpayment of VAT.
But Labour blamed "adverse market conditions" for the shift from a pensions surplus of £1.9m to a deficit of £500,000.But Labour blamed "adverse market conditions" for the shift from a pensions surplus of £1.9m to a deficit of £500,000.
The Lib Dems said that, with a general election to be held within the next year, it was "vital to build the party's fund-raising capacity".The Lib Dems said that, with a general election to be held within the next year, it was "vital to build the party's fund-raising capacity".