Starmer Criticizes Tory 'Levelling Up' Failures, Unveils Labour's Local Election Campaign

Labour leader Keir Starmer launches local election campaign, emphasizing the need for devolution and longer-term funding for councils, while cautioning against immediate spending increases.

Starmer criticizes the Conservative government's failure to deliver on their 'levelling up' promise, describing it as 'unforgivable'.
Labour proposes a 'Take Back Control Act' to empower regional mayors with more control over transport, skills, energy, and planning.
Starmer refuses to commit to immediate funding increases for struggling councils, emphasizing economic growth as the solution.
Labour's local election campaign also serves as a prelude to their national campaign for the general election later in the year.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt accuses Labour of using the campaign launch as a 'smokescreen' to distract from their stance on childcare provision.