A police officer for every neighbourhood – key pillar of Starmer’s ‘plan for change’
Image: PA Media
The Prime Minister is set to promise a named, contactable police officer for every neighbourhood in England and Wales today (Thursday) as part of the “next phase” of his government.
In a speech that will lay out his “plan for change”, Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce six tangible “milestones” for achieving the five missions laid out in Labour’s election manifesto.
He will say: “My government was elected to deliver change, and today marks the next step.”
Criticism from the House of Commons
The PM’s critics, however, have suggested the move is one designed to reframe public perception of the government in the wake of a tumultuous start to his premiership.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled the speech “an emergency reset” at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, saying of Sir Keir: “Why should anyone believe a word he says?”
The Prime Minister is expected to challenge Mrs Badenoch’s suggestion, pointing instead towards the previous government’s history of unfunded spending pledges.
He will say: “People are tired of being promised the world, but short-term sticking plaster politics letting them down.”
Rebuilding Britain
Downing Street said the proposed milestones will focus on raising living standards, rebuilding Britain, ending hospital backlogs, putting more police on the beat, giving children the best start in life and securing home-grown energy.
Among the promises expected to be announced on Thursday is a guarantee that every neighbourhood will have a named, contactable police officer responsible for dealing with local issues.
Police reform
The Prime Minister will describe the move as “a relief to millions of people scared to walk the streets they call home”, announcing £100m of funding to support neighbourhood policing, as well as a range of additional policing reforms designed to increase performance.
The announcement will build upon Labour’s initial pledge to recruit 13,000 new police officers, PCSOs and special constables, a move which would increase the total police workforce to a level above its 2010 peak.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that the promise of a named police officer for every neighbourhood is designed to improve relations between the police force and the public.
She said: “This marks a return to the founding principles of British policing – where officers are part of the communities they serve.”
Ms Cooper had previously stated that she would run a “hands-on Home Office” should Labour take power following the general election, with a specific focus on reducing crime.
Labour challenged
The Conservatives have challenged the expected announcement, stating that only a third of the 13,000 new recruits would be full police officers, while the £100m would not cover what was needed to pay for them.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “Starmer has once again misled the public by claiming to recruit an extra 13,000 officers when the actual number is 3,000, and even that is not properly funded.”
Public sector reform
Alongside the targets set to be announced on Thursday, the Prime Minister is also expected to propose a significant amount of public sector reform.
Sir Keir will say: “Hard working Brits are going out grafting every day but are getting short shrift from a politics that should serve them.
“They reasonably want a stable economy, their country to be safe, their borders secure, more cash in their pocket, safer streets in their town, opportunities for their children, secure British energy in their home, and an NHS that is there when they need it.”
“My mission-led government will deliver.”