Hannah Smith

Senior Political Journalist

Hannah joined Full Fact as a fact checker in May 2022. Before that she wrote news and features for UNILAD. She is a qualified journalist, and also has a degree in history.

17 February 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Has the government introduced ‘clear performance standards’ for neighbourhood policing?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee committed to introducing new training for officers and standards for professional excellence. Read

Gov Tracker

17 February 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Has the government achieved its commitment to restore ‘community-led policing’?

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee pledge a named, contactable officer for every local area, as well as up-to-date information about their priorities. Read

Gov Tracker

17 February 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Has the government achieved its pledge to ‘put police back on the beat’?

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee pledged to put a Neighbourhood Policing Team in every local area. Read

Gov Tracker

17 February 2026

Appears on track

Government Tracker

Has the government delivered 13,000 additional neighbourhood police?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Labour has committed to delivering 13,000 additional neighbourhood police as part of its Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. Read

Gov Tracker

16 February 2026

Economy, Business & Finance

This comparison of asylum support, benefit fraud and tax avoidance costs is still wrong

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

A post circulating on Facebook features several inaccurate figures about the cost of “asylum seeker benefits”, benefit fraud and error and tax avoidance. Read

Fact check

13 February 2026

Politics

No, Reform UK did not edit an image of a house in Gorton and Denton

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

Posts on social media have wrongly claimed Reform UK “Photoshopped” a picture of Matt Goodwin standing outside a house to make it look like it had Reform UK placards on display. Read