The shadow chancellor is heading for a clash with opponents on tax as he unveils plans which are likely to mean increases for anyone earning more than £80,000 a year.
In a speech in east London, John McDonnell will promise what he calls a personal tax guarantee, which he says would protect low and middle income earners.
He will pledge that under a Labour government there would be no increase in the standard rate of VAT, income tax for those earning below £80,000, or personal national insurance contributions.
He will say only the highest earners, the top 5%, would be asked to pay more tax.
But his political opponents are accusing him of a tax raid on the professional classes. They claim anyone earning more than £80,000 would face a tax hike under Labour and that up to 1.2 million people could be hit.
Mr McDonnell's proposals also suggest he would bring back the 50p tax rate introduced by former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling and later scrapped by his Tory successor George Osborne.
In his speech, Mr McDonnell will say: "The choice at this election is very clear on tax, as there is currently only one party which is committing not to raise taxes on middle and low earners - and that is the Labour Party.
"If Labour is elected next month we will guarantee that for the next five years there will be no tax rises for income tax payers earning less than £80,000 a year, no hikes in VAT and no changes in your national insurance contributions either.
"The Labour Party is now the party of low taxes for middle and low earners, while the Tories are the party of tax handouts for the super-rich and big corporations."
His announcement comes only days after the Chancellor Philip Hammond, who was forced to abandon his Budget increases in national insurance contributions, accused Labour of a tax and debt bombshell. Critics also say there are holes in Labour's plans.
Attacking the shadow chancellor's pledge, the Treasury Chief Secretary David Gauke said: "Jeremy Corbyn will have to raise taxes because his nonsensical economic ideas don't add up and he'll make a mess of the Brexit negotiations.
"That's why he talked about raising the basic rate of income tax to 25p in 2015 - and the Lib Dems and SNP, who would prop him up, want to increase taxes too. Every family and business would pay the price for the tax and debt bombshell they would drop on Britain."
The Liberal Democrats' shadow chancellor, Susan Kramer, said: "Labour's so-called tax pledges aren't worth the paper they're written on, given their inability to form a proper opposition, let alone a government."
Sunday, May 7, 2017
President Buhari Set To Receive 82 Chibok Girls
President Muhammadu Buhari will, on Sunday in Abuja, receive the 82 Chibok girls just released from Boko Haram captivity. This was disclosed in a State House statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President.
The statement which confirms Saharareporters earlier revelation that two high-profile Boko Haram commanders were swapped for the released girls said President Buhari is delighted that negotiations entered into have resulted in the release of more ChibokGirls.
"Today, 82 more ChibokGirls were released. After lengthy negotiations, our security agencies have taken back these girls, in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.
The released ChibokGirls are due to arrive in Abuja on Sunday, May 7, and will be received by the President," the statement said.
It added that President Buhari is full of gratitude to all those involved in the efforts to secure the release of the girls. Among these, the statement said, were the security agencies, military, Government of Switzerland, International Committee of the Red Cross as well as and local and international non-governmental organizations.
The statement also noted that President Buhari is committed to ensuring the safe return of other Boko Haram captives and has received detailed briefings from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the negotiations that led to the release of the 82 girls.
The statement which confirms Saharareporters earlier revelation that two high-profile Boko Haram commanders were swapped for the released girls said President Buhari is delighted that negotiations entered into have resulted in the release of more ChibokGirls.
"Today, 82 more ChibokGirls were released. After lengthy negotiations, our security agencies have taken back these girls, in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.
The released ChibokGirls are due to arrive in Abuja on Sunday, May 7, and will be received by the President," the statement said.
It added that President Buhari is full of gratitude to all those involved in the efforts to secure the release of the girls. Among these, the statement said, were the security agencies, military, Government of Switzerland, International Committee of the Red Cross as well as and local and international non-governmental organizations.
The statement also noted that President Buhari is committed to ensuring the safe return of other Boko Haram captives and has received detailed briefings from the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the negotiations that led to the release of the 82 girls.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Steven Seagal's support for Putin gets him blacklisted by Ukraine
Steven Seagal has been banned from entering Ukraine after being branded a national security threat.
The Under Siege star has joined fellow actor Gerard Depardieu in being blacklisted by the authorities in Kiev.
The move comes after the 65-year-old was granted Russian citizenshiplast year, when he was personally presented with a passport by President Vladimir Putin.
Seagal, whose grandmother was from Vladivostok in Russia's far east, has also previously described Mr Putin's seizure of the Crimea as "very reasonable".
The martial artist and musician later performed with his blues band at a concert for pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway region.
Ukraine's security service has reportedly barred Seagal from the country for five years, claiming he had "committed socially dangerous actions...that contradict the interests of maintaining Ukraine's security".
He has not publicly responded to the ban.
Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 sparked the biggest crisis between Moscow and the West since the Cold War and tensions remain high in the region.
Kiev has warned anyone entering "temporarily occupied Crimea" without permission faces being banned from future entry to Ukraine.
Depardieu, who received his Russian passport in 2013 when he abandoned his native France in order to avoid higher taxes, has also been banned by Kiev.
Russian singer Yulia Samoylova cannot compete at this month's Eurovision song contest in Ukraine because she was barred from the country for touring Crimea.
Seagal is a close friend of Mr Putin, with the pair sharing a love of martial arts, and has previously hailed the politician as "one of the great living world leaders".
The actor's fame peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but his action films remain popular in Russia.
The Under Siege star has joined fellow actor Gerard Depardieu in being blacklisted by the authorities in Kiev.
The move comes after the 65-year-old was granted Russian citizenshiplast year, when he was personally presented with a passport by President Vladimir Putin.
Seagal, whose grandmother was from Vladivostok in Russia's far east, has also previously described Mr Putin's seizure of the Crimea as "very reasonable".
The martial artist and musician later performed with his blues band at a concert for pro-Russian separatists in the breakaway region.
Ukraine's security service has reportedly barred Seagal from the country for five years, claiming he had "committed socially dangerous actions...that contradict the interests of maintaining Ukraine's security".
He has not publicly responded to the ban.
Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 sparked the biggest crisis between Moscow and the West since the Cold War and tensions remain high in the region.
Kiev has warned anyone entering "temporarily occupied Crimea" without permission faces being banned from future entry to Ukraine.
Depardieu, who received his Russian passport in 2013 when he abandoned his native France in order to avoid higher taxes, has also been banned by Kiev.
Russian singer Yulia Samoylova cannot compete at this month's Eurovision song contest in Ukraine because she was barred from the country for touring Crimea.
Seagal is a close friend of Mr Putin, with the pair sharing a love of martial arts, and has previously hailed the politician as "one of the great living world leaders".
The actor's fame peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but his action films remain popular in Russia.
80 Kidnapped Chibok Girls Freed By Boko Haram
SaharaReporters has exclusively obtained information the Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, has released a batch of more than 80 of the Chibok high school girls who were abducted in mid-April 2014. A top military source just broke the news to Saharareporters.
According to the source, the release of the 80 abducted school girls came after further negotiations between the Islamist group and the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The source said he was not in a position to disclose the terms oof the agreement that led to today's mass release of the Chibok school girls.
Our source revealed that that the 82 girls who just regained their freedom are currently in Banki town in Borno state awaiting airlift to an unknown destination.
The source added that once the girls are secured in a new location they would be debriefed, undergo psycological and medical tests and then be reunited with their families.
According to the source, the release of the 80 abducted school girls came after further negotiations between the Islamist group and the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The source said he was not in a position to disclose the terms oof the agreement that led to today's mass release of the Chibok school girls.
Our source revealed that that the 82 girls who just regained their freedom are currently in Banki town in Borno state awaiting airlift to an unknown destination.
The source added that once the girls are secured in a new location they would be debriefed, undergo psycological and medical tests and then be reunited with their families.
French election: Media warned not to publish hacked Macron emails
The media has been warned not to publish the contents of hacked emails from Emmanuel Macron's presidential campaign.
France's electoral commission has said any organisations that circulate information from the leaked messages may be committing a criminal offence.
On Friday, Mr Macron's campaign team confirmed it had fallen victim to a "massive hacking attack" which resulted in hundreds of internal documents being dumped online.
About nine gigabytes of data was posted by an anonymous user called EMLEAKS, only hours before the end of official election campaigning.
:: March - Aide claims Russia is interfering with Macron campaign
The En Marche! party has said the files only showed the normal functioning of a presidential campaign, but claimed fake documents were being circulated alongside authentic ones in order to sow "doubt and misinformation".
Aides have alleged those behind the cyberattack were attempting to destabilise Sunday's final round between Mr Macron and his far-right rival Marine Le Pen.
The officials drew comparisons with the emails leaked from Hillary Clinton's campaign in the run-up to last November's presidential election in the US.
:: Who is Emmanuel Macron?
France's electoral commission has said any organisations that circulate information from the leaked messages may be committing a criminal offence.
On Friday, Mr Macron's campaign team confirmed it had fallen victim to a "massive hacking attack" which resulted in hundreds of internal documents being dumped online.
About nine gigabytes of data was posted by an anonymous user called EMLEAKS, only hours before the end of official election campaigning.
:: March - Aide claims Russia is interfering with Macron campaign
The En Marche! party has said the files only showed the normal functioning of a presidential campaign, but claimed fake documents were being circulated alongside authentic ones in order to sow "doubt and misinformation".
Aides have alleged those behind the cyberattack were attempting to destabilise Sunday's final round between Mr Macron and his far-right rival Marine Le Pen.
The officials drew comparisons with the emails leaked from Hillary Clinton's campaign in the run-up to last November's presidential election in the US.
:: Who is Emmanuel Macron?
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall upbeat despite party's local election wipeout
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall has made his first public appearance since his party's devastating local election results - which saw more than 100 councillors swept away as voters shifted to the Conservatives.
During a visit to the Boston and Skegness constituency he will be contesting on 8 June, Mr Nuttall acknowledged the party was now facing a fight for survival, claiming the goal was now to "stay on the pitch".
"We knew that these local elections were going to be the most difficult we've ever fought. But of course Theresa May performed a massive U-turn, called a General Election and made them doubly difficult for us" he said.
The UKIP leader was warmly received by some residents of the sleepy Lincolnshire town of Burgh Le Marsh, including the local fishmonger who raised the issue of EU fishing regulations, and the town butcher, who while selling him sausages told Mr Nuttall he had voted Leave in the referendum.
But after losing all 14 of the UKIP councillors in Lincolnshire, Mr Nuttall acknowledged he was not the favourite in the battle for the parliamentary seat, despite being up against a Tory incumbent candidate who voted to remain in an area where more than 70% of voters chose to exit the EU.
Instead he claimed the goal for UKIP was now to cling on to some of its vote share so that it is positioned to claw back support once the "wheels come off" Brexit negotiations.
"UKIP just has to stay on the pitch, hold its ground and people will come back to us," he said.
"I think Theresa May will start to barter things away.
"I think fisheries will go, I think there will be some sort of movement on immigration and freedom of movement, I think she might buckle on that. And I think she will certainly buckle on the divorce bill..
"When people are angry, when people feel they have been let down, when people feel they aren't getting the Brexit they wanted and they voted for on June 23, where are they going to go? They are going to return to UKIP. The future of UKIP is very bright indeed."
During a visit to the Boston and Skegness constituency he will be contesting on 8 June, Mr Nuttall acknowledged the party was now facing a fight for survival, claiming the goal was now to "stay on the pitch".
"We knew that these local elections were going to be the most difficult we've ever fought. But of course Theresa May performed a massive U-turn, called a General Election and made them doubly difficult for us" he said.
The UKIP leader was warmly received by some residents of the sleepy Lincolnshire town of Burgh Le Marsh, including the local fishmonger who raised the issue of EU fishing regulations, and the town butcher, who while selling him sausages told Mr Nuttall he had voted Leave in the referendum.
But after losing all 14 of the UKIP councillors in Lincolnshire, Mr Nuttall acknowledged he was not the favourite in the battle for the parliamentary seat, despite being up against a Tory incumbent candidate who voted to remain in an area where more than 70% of voters chose to exit the EU.
Instead he claimed the goal for UKIP was now to cling on to some of its vote share so that it is positioned to claw back support once the "wheels come off" Brexit negotiations.
"UKIP just has to stay on the pitch, hold its ground and people will come back to us," he said.
"I think Theresa May will start to barter things away.
"I think fisheries will go, I think there will be some sort of movement on immigration and freedom of movement, I think she might buckle on that. And I think she will certainly buckle on the divorce bill..
"When people are angry, when people feel they have been let down, when people feel they aren't getting the Brexit they wanted and they voted for on June 23, where are they going to go? They are going to return to UKIP. The future of UKIP is very bright indeed."
Man dies in latest London stabbing amid surge in knife attacks
A 23-year-old man has died in another stabbing in London, the latest victim in a surge of knife attacks in the capital.
The victim was found unconscious by police on Saturday at about 1am in Waterloo Road in Uxbridge.
The man, from Hayes, was taken to a west London hospital but died from his injuries a short time later.
The last fortnight has seen a surge of knife crime in the capital, with 10 other victims suffering fatal or serious stab wounds.
The death comes a day after a man in his 30s was stabbed to death after an incident in a barber shop in Harlesden, northwest London.
Police have launched a murder investigation into the latest stabbing, and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Packer, who is leading the investigation, said: "A young man has lost his life and I am appealing to the public to give us all the help they can.
"In particular I would ask anyone who was in the vicinity of Waterloo Road from midnight to early in the morning to call us.
"If you saw or heard anything please do not hesitate; your information could be vital."
Police believe they know the victim's identity but are waiting for a formal identification to be completed.
Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC.
The victim was found unconscious by police on Saturday at about 1am in Waterloo Road in Uxbridge.
The man, from Hayes, was taken to a west London hospital but died from his injuries a short time later.
The last fortnight has seen a surge of knife crime in the capital, with 10 other victims suffering fatal or serious stab wounds.
The death comes a day after a man in his 30s was stabbed to death after an incident in a barber shop in Harlesden, northwest London.
Police have launched a murder investigation into the latest stabbing, and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Packer, who is leading the investigation, said: "A young man has lost his life and I am appealing to the public to give us all the help they can.
"In particular I would ask anyone who was in the vicinity of Waterloo Road from midnight to early in the morning to call us.
"If you saw or heard anything please do not hesitate; your information could be vital."
Police believe they know the victim's identity but are waiting for a formal identification to be completed.
Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC.
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