Throughout the weeks in the lead-up to the party’s manifesto launch last week, Jeremy Corbyn had insisted its policies would mean only businesses and those earning more than £80,000 would pay tax. But the Labour Party scrapping the marriage tax allowance led many experts to highlight how many others would pay a lot more, and in his disastrous interview with the BBC politics presenter, Mr Corbyn was forced to admit this would cost many people £250 a year. The Labour leader even admitted he did not know how much tax richer people would pay, and began to flounder when questioned over the party’s plans for higher dividend taxes, which Mr Neil warned could see someone earning just £14,000 a year paying an additional £400 in tax.

At the start of the interview, Mr Corbyn claimed under Labour’s plans “only those earning over £80,000 per year will see a tax increase”, but when challenged about scrapping the marriage tax allowance, he admitted: “The marriage allowance is £250 a year.”

Mr Neil said: “These people, there’s almost two million of them, are going to lose £250 and they earn a lot less than £80,000.”

The Labour was pressed twice on the fact they will pay more tax, but said: “They’ll also get properly funded schools. They won’t get the advantage, it’s actually taking away £250.”

The host continued to press Mr Corbyn on higher dividend taxes, which he said would hit people on lower incomes too.

He used an example of someone on a state pension who has an an annuity of £4,000, a small private pension and, because they have saved, a dividend income of £2,000.

Mr Neil said: “At the moment they pay £9 in income tax, that’s it. Under you they’ll pay over £400 in income tax. We’re talking about people who are just on £14,000 a year.”

Mr Corbyn replied: “They’ll be taxed on the basis of their total income. It’s a graded tax, so that is reasonable and fair to do.

“The whole purpose behind our manifesto, which I have here, is to recognise that we have to do something about the underfunding of our public services and the poverty and inequality that austerity has brought to this country.”

The comments drew a stinging reaction on Twitter. Victoria Freeman wrote: “Actually think the most damning aspect of that interview was point about pensioners on £14k having to pay £400 more tax.

“Comnpletely undermines ‘only the rich will pay’ narrative and makes it look like a deliberate lie.”

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8.32am update: Labour minister apologises for party’s handling of anti-Semitism

Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon said “of course we’re sorry for the hurt caused” when pressed over the Labour Party’s handling of anti-Semitism.

Shadow Defence Secretary had earlier said she is “ashamed” the party has been dogged by accusations of anti-Semitism and said Labour now needed to apologise to the Jewish community.

Mr Burgon told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I listened just now to what Nia Griffith said and I agree with what she said.

“Jeremy has apologised on a number of occasions and said that he’s sorry for the very real hurt felt by people in the Jewish community. So, on a number of occasions last summer for example, he has made those statements and it’s right that he did.”

8.22am update: Boris Johnson ‘dangerous and unfit for office’ – Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon is expected to warn “there is worse to come” if the Conservative Party wins next month’s general election.

She will launch the SNP manifesto launch in Glasgow today and will detail her plans for negotiations with a Labou minority, including funding pledges for the NHS higher than any other party running in the election.

The SNP leader is expected to say: “At the heart of this election is a fundamental question for the people of Scotland – who should decide Scotland’s future – the people who live here or Boris Johnson? The future of our country is on the line.

“The reality of Westminster control over Scotland is this – a right-wing Tory Government Scotland didn’t vote for and a Prime Minister in Boris Johnson who is dangerous and unfit for office.

“It means Tory cuts to the Scottish budget, the NHS under threat from a Tory-Trump trade deal, a power grab on the Scottish Parliament, children being forced into poverty and a disastrous Brexit deal that will hit jobs, living standards and workers’ rights.

“But there is worse to come – unless Boris Johnson is stopped this will just be the start.

“Brexit is nowhere near being done. The Tories have barely got going – they haven’t even started trade talks.”

8.18am update: ‘Your tax base will CRUMBLE!’ Corbyn left speechless as Andrew Neil ridicules tax plans

Jeremy Corbyn stumbled over tax figures as BBC’s Andrew Neil grilled him over taxing the top five percent of earners.

Mr Neil asked: “Let’s come on to the top five percent of earners, where you hope to get all your money. You often imply these top five percent don’t pay much tax at the moment and you’re going make them do so. What share of income tax revenues do they currently pay?”

Speaking to BBC’s Andrew Neil, Mr Corbyn said: “They pay a top rate of about, um, 45/50.”

Mr Neil said: “No what share of income tax revenues do they contribute.”

The Labour leader continued: “Oh! Quite a lot of course. I couldn’t give you an exact figure but they contribute quite a lot.”

Mr Neil added: “They contribute 50 percent of all income tax revenues.”

8.11am update: Twitter erupts in fury over Corbyn tax admission

Furious Brits have flooded Twitter to vent their fury over Jeremy Corbyn tax admission. 

Chris Rose wrote: Andrew Neil exposing the lie that “nobody under £80k will pay more”.

“Corbyn can’t even answer why someone on £14k will pay £400 more in tax a year. He’s absolute fraud.” 

Twitter user @micky1more commented: 

@micky1more: Corbyn hasn’t got a clue! His economics knowledge is disturbing.

“Under Labour we are all going to pay loads more tax! Wake up Britain!”

Darren Grimes wrote: “Jeremy Corbyn finally admits that under his MASSIVE spending proposals, it isn’t ‘only’ the five per cent that will be paying ‘more tax’, it’ll be you and your family too.”

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