LABOUR has topped the league for the highest political party income, reporting that more than £33 million went into its coffers last year.

Records released by the Electoral Commission show the Opposition's income stayed around the same as the previous year but it spent more than £2 million less than in 2012.

JML founder John Mills continued to be one of Labour's biggest donors, with one non-cash donation worth £1.6 million while other large amounts came in t he form of short money - payments made to opposition parties in the House of Commons to help them with their costs.

The Conservatives reported an income of £25.3 million with outgoings of £23.5 million and the Liberal Democrats brought in £7.3 million and spent £6.8 million.

Electoral Commission chief executive Peter Wardle said: "We are pleased that, for the third year running, all the larger political parties have submitted their accounts to us by the statutory deadline. It is essential that parties continue to be transparent with their financial information so voters can see exactly how they are funded and how this money is spent."

© Press Association 2014