Pollsters YouGov, which predicted the result of the 2008 election, said today: "Following a month in which he has faced criticism, there have been significant drops in the public's perceptions of Ken Livingstone."London government expert Tony Travers said revelations of Mr Livingstone's personal tax affairs had damaged his position, adding: "This is fascinating. The same happened in 2008 when Johnson started to pull ahead of Livingstone as election day approached."Perceptions of Ken appear to have been damaged by stories about his tax affairs. After falling behind, Boris has started to make an effort and it appears to be paying off."
France's new Socialist president owns three holiday homes in the Riviera resort of Cannes, valued at almost £1 million. It will reinforce accusations that Hollande is a “gauche caviar”, or “Left-wing caviar” — the Gallic equivalent of a champagne Socialist. As well as the spacious Paris apartment he shares with Valerie Trierweiler, Mr Hollande owns a palatial villa in Mougins, the hill-top Cannes suburb where artist Pablo Picasso used to live. It is valued by the Official Journal at 800,000 euros (£642,000), and is just a short drive from Hollande’s two flats close to the promenade in Cannes. They are priced at 230,000 euros (£185,000) and 140,000 euros (£112,000). Mr Hollande has promised to cut his pay by 30 per cent after he is officially sworn in as president next week, but he will still be on 156,000 (£125,000) a year, plus fabulous expenses and other perks. Vive Le Socialism.
Announcing the biggest ever rise in the tax-free allowance, an increase of £1,100 which will let people earn up to £9,200 before being taxed, the Chancellor declared: “We are in touching distance of the goal of £10,000 personal allowance that we all share.” George Osborne spared 400,000 middle class families from child benefit cuts in a move today while handing another £3.5 billion in tax cuts to working families. The chancellor said the 50 per cent top tax rate would be dropped to 45p in the pound for those earning over £150,000 from April next year. He countered with a hike in stamp duty on homes worth over £2million from five per cent to seven per cent, while, in another measure personal tax allowances were increased to £9,205, saving individuals £220 each. Mr Osborne told MPs in the Commons: “This Budget supports working families and helps those looking for work. It unashamedly backs business. And it is on the side of aspiration: those who want to do better for themselves and for ...
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