Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, commenting on reports the Metropolitan Police will double the number of armed officers, said:

“Labour gives this a cautious welcome after successfully forcing George Osborne to back down on his planned cuts to the Police at the Spending Review. 

"Today’s announcement sounds like good news in the wake of the Paris attacks but we do have to ask where the money is coming from.

"If it’s taken out of neighbourhood policing so we see police officers come off the beat, or if it’s money that isn’t then available to other big cities around the country, then that wouldn’t be right.”