Starmer insists cuts will not hit fight to stop Channel gangs

RACHEL Reeves's plan to slash Government spending will not hit the fight against Channel smuggling gangs, Sir Keir Starmer has insisted.

- By Michael Knowles

The Chancellor is expected to announce spending cuts for some departments when she delivers the Spring Statement to the Commons tomorrow.

The Home Office is not considered a "protected" department, meaning its budget could be slashed.

But Sir Keir told BBC Radio 5 Live: "One of the commitments we have made in our plan for change is 13,000 extra neighbourhood police. That commitment stands."

He added: "On the question of immigration and small boats that are crossing the Channel, we have to stop that.

Powers

"We need a broader range of powers to deal with the gangs that are running the terrible trade of getting people into those boats."