Thursday evening news briefing: Jeremy Corbyn reveals Labour manifesto set to raid middle classes

Chris Price

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Labour unveils election manifesto with £83bn spending plans

He described it as "a manifesto of hope" but Jeremy Corbyn's new 105-page list of Labour policies will hike death duties, bring in a new levy on holiday homes and cap private rents to fund an £83 billion manifesto splurge. The Labour leader promised "real change" as he unveiled the document in Birmingham today. Mr Corbyn announced a new "super" income tax rate of 50pc on people earning £125,000 and over, as well as lowering the threshold for the additional income tax rate of 45pc from £150,000 to £80,000. Sam Barker reveals how Labour plans to attack buy-to-let investors and second-home owners while Sam Meadows examines how Labour would freeze the state pension age and let manual workers retire early. But what drives Mr Corbyn's "radical" policies? Rosa Prince reveals the Labour leader as a rebel whose greatest strength is also his most devastating flaw. Here are Labour's manifesto pledges in full.

The details of how Labour will try to reap tax revenues from various sources comes as the Government recorded its highest October deficit in five years – even before the huge election giveaways promised by Labour and the Conservatives. Yet the latest election polls still look good for Boris Johnson, with the current polling average showing the Tories' lead is in double-digits.

PS - Google will freeze British politicians out of its most powerful targeted advertising systems next week as tries to prepare for the election. Details here.

Alex Salmond accused of attempting rape in official residence

Alex Salmond will go on trial next year facing a string of sexual and indecent assault allegations including one charge of attempted rape in which he is said to have pinned a woman to a bed in the First Minister's official residence in Edinburgh. The former SNP leader faces a total of 14 charges - one of attempted rape, one of intent to rape, 10 of sexual assault and two of indecent assault. The alleged offences, which Mr Salmond has strenuously denied, involve 10 women and are said to have taken place between June 2008 and Nov 2014, when he was Scotland's first minister. He stepped down in Nov 2014 after losing the Scottish independence referendum. Read details of the alleged incidents here.

Cambridge students cry fowl over painting upsetting vegetarians

Some Cambridge University students might consider it a privilege to eat beneath a 17th century oil painting. But not if the students are vegetarian or vegan, and the work features animals bound for the dinner table. The Fowl Market, from the studio of the 16th century Flemish artist Frans Snyders, has been removed from the dining room of Hughes Hall following complaints that it was putting non-meat-eaters off their food. The painting features a collection of dead animals, including a swan, a boar, a deer and various game birds. See it here.

News digest

Video: Duke of York urged to hand over emails as he is seen for first time

A US lawyer representing some of Jeffrey Epstein's victims has said the Duke of York and his staff should hand over emails, texts and travel logs to the US authorities to help with their investigations. Read the details here and read Camilla Tominey's recap of how the last few days have unfolded since his Newsnight interview at the weekend.

Comment

World news: The one story you must read today...

Race for president | Joe Biden sought to turn Donald Trump's impeachment to his own advantage at the fifth Democrat presidential debate, declaring it showed he was the candidate the president feared most. Mr Biden told the audience in Atlanta: "I've learned, number one, that Donald Trump doesn't want me to be the nominee. Secondly, I found out Vladimir Putin doesn't want me to be president." The former vice president, who is no longer the clear frontrunner in polls, spoke on a day when a key witness told the impeachment inquiry Mr Trump had authorised a "quid pro quo" in an attempt to get the government of Ukraine to investigate Mr Biden. Here is how the debate went.

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  2. I'm a sober alcoholic| The party season is terrifying for me. This is how I cope

  3. Don't cry for Claire Foy | Olivia Colman is the sad, exhausted Queen The Crown needs

Business and money briefing

H&T woes | The thought of a high street pawnbroker may conjure an image of a rundown town centre more than stock markets and City regulators. But these two worlds collided this week when Britain's largest pawnbroker, H&T, announced its lending practices are under investigation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - sending shares plunging 15pc. Michael O'Dwyerasks why pawnbroking has avoided the crackdown faced by payday lenders.

Sport briefing

Mourinho first press conference | Tottenham's new manager could not resist a slight dig at Manchester United in his first outing in front of the media since taking his new job. Here is a liveblog of his 45 minute appearance.

And finally...

Wait no longer | Pregnant women should be induced earlier to reduce baby deaths, a new study has found, as researchers call for the end of a 'wait and see' approach. The study, done in conjunction with hospitals and academics across Sweden, concluded that pregnant women should not be offered induction later than 41 weeks. Here is why researchers think this will have an impact.

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