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Political donations: Eight parties received £20.3m in last quarter of 2014 Political donations: Conservatives received most in final quarter of 2014
(35 minutes later)
Eight British political parties received a total of £20.3m in donations in the final three months of 2014, according to the Electoral Commission. The Conservatives received the most in donations in the final three months of 2014, according to new figures published by the Electoral Commission.
This figure is more than £5m higher than the previous quarter - and up £10m on the same quarter in 2013. The party took home £8,345,687, compared to Labour's £7,163,988.
The Tories received £8,345,687, Labour £7,163,988, Lib Dems £3,038,500, UKIP £1,505,055 and the Greens £248,520. Donations to the Lib Dems totalled £3,038,500 - giving the party an annual record total - while UKIP reported £1,505,055 and the Greens £248,520.
The figures come amid a row between the Tories and Labour over the tax affairs of party supporters. It comes after a political row between the Conservatives and Labour over the tax affairs of party supporters.
In total, eight British political parties received £20.3m in donations between October and December 2014.
This figure is more than £5m higher than the previous quarter - and up £10m on the same three months in 2013.
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said donations were higher than normal because of the upcoming general election.
"There are still plenty of people out there who want to give their hard-earned cash to the parties," he said.
In addition to these donations, six parties accepted £3,834,816 from public funds during the final quarter of the year.
There have been £65.6m of donations for political parties in 2014.
The Conservatives received the most money last year - £28.9m, compared to £18.7m for Labour, £8.2m for the Lib Dems, £3.8m for UKIP and £3.7m for the SNP.
Despite recent poor poll performances, the Lib Dems set a new party record, raising £1.5m more in 2014 than their previous annual record.