Sir Keir 'fooling public' over vow

SIR Keir Starmer was accused of trying to fool the public over his election promise to recruit an extra 13,000 neighbourhood police officers.

- By Christian Calgie and Jonathan Walker

It has now emerged this will depend on Conservative police commissioners agreeing to raise council tax.

Last night, the Prime Minister insisted measures in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Spending Review would allow him to keep this promise.

Police forces will receive a 2.3% real terms funding increase each year up to 2028-29, according to the Treasury. But small print makes it clear taxpayers will be expected to foot the bill. The increase includes “estimated funding from the police council tax precept” - added to council tax bills and set by police and crime commissioners or regional mayors.

Last year, 19 out of 33 police and crime commissioner election winners were Tories.