Labour Vows to Restore Safety with 13,000 Officers as Tories Escalate VAT Policy Attack

Labour commits to enhancing security across UK neighborhoods – while Conservatives criticize their VAT policy

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vows to reinstate 13,000 local police officers and PCSOs to community patrols, as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt targets Labour's tax strategies.

Political correspondent @NifS

Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 11:

Labour is set to commit to increasing police presence in communities as part of their crime reduction strategy in upcoming campaigns.

During her address on Thursday, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper will emphasize the party's commitment to reinstate 13,000 neighborhood police officers and PCSOs, ensuring they are actively present in communities throughout the nation. She will highlight that these officers will conduct "guaranteed neighborhood patrols" to both deter crime through visible presence and effectively apprehend criminals.

She will further pledge to manage a very involved Home Office, consistently evaluating the department's performance in meeting Labour's governmental "missions," such as tackling anti-social behavior.

Politics update: Abbott declares at gathering she remains 'undaunted'

Ms. Cooper stated that under Rishi Sunak’s leadership, 90% of criminal cases remain unresolved, allowing individuals armed with knives, along with phone thieves and pickpockets, to freely terrorize our urban areas and communities.

Government officials have failed to address the surge in organized crime targeting neighborhood stores and public areas. This is the outcome of the Conservative party's approach to law enforcement, and it is our local communities that are suffering the consequences.

"Labour has had enough. The party pledges to restore order in the UK by enhancing street safety and reclaiming our urban centers from criminals. Their plan includes the addition of 13,000 more neighborhood police officers and PCSOs patrolling our communities, implementing stringent measures to tackle the disruptors of our main shopping areas, and a commitment to address the significant drop in crime resolution rates.

Labour pledges to halt the disorder associated with the Tories and establish a regime centered on law and enforcement, prioritizing the safety and security of our communities while reclaiming control of our streets.

Discover more: Join the crowd at our major election event featuring party leaders. Explore the central topics that will define the electoral battle.

However, Policing Minister Chris Philp criticized the policy as ineffective, stating, "It's essentially meaningless," and noted, "Out of the new officers they're proposing, only 3,000 would be full-time with arrest powers, and another 3,000 are actually officers that this government has already recruited."

"In comparison, the Conservatives have significantly increased police forces, adding 20,000 officers since 2019, reaching new highs in recruitment numbers."

"In this election, the decision is straightforward: continue with Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party's decisive policies and explicit strategy, which have reduced crime by 54% since 2010, or start over with the Labour Party."

On the eighth day of the campaign trail, the Conservative Party is set to launch a critical offensive targeting the Labour Party's "disorganized" approach to economic issues.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has charged his counterpart, Rachel Reeves, with yielding to pressure by deciding not to increase VAT in the upcoming parliament after she had "intentionally and thoughtfully" dodged the issue throughout the week, even during her discussion with Sam Coates from Sky News.

Stay informed on the most recent developments from the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

Following a claim by a minister in the Telegraph that Labour planned to fund its initiatives by increasing VAT, Ms. Reeves countered with a statement dismissing the claim as "absolute nonsense." She clarified, "Labour has no plans to raise income tax, national insurance, or VAT."

Mr. Hunt subsequently charged her with being inconsistent, asserting that what he perceived as a shift in policy "shows that Labour lacks a coherent economic strategy."

Stay ahead with the latest breaking news updates.

Download the Sky News application at no cost

On Thursday, as part of their campaign efforts, the Scottish National Party (SNP) will target young voters. First Minister John Swinney is set to argue that austerity measures, Brexit, and the ongoing cost of living crisis have collectively deprived a whole generation of opportunities.

The Liberal Democrats are advocating for the placement of a mental health expert in each primary and secondary school, with their leader, Sir Ed Davey, accusing the Conservatives of having "neglected parents and children."

Associated Subjects

Footer of Sky News

Information About Sky News

Services Provided by Sky News

Sky Networks

Additional Sky Websites