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.

20 May 2026

Achieved

Government Tracker

Has the government ended the use of offshore trusts to avoid inheritance tax?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

The Labour government set out plans to change inheritance tax rules for non-UK assets in its first Budget. Read

Gov Tracker

12 May 2026

Achieved

Government Tracker

Has the government removed hereditary peers from the House of Lords?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Labour has pledged to remove the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords, as part of wider reforms to Parliament’s upper chamber. Read

Gov Tracker

25 March 2026

Not kept

Government Tracker

Has the government set up a ‘new returns and enforcement unit’ with 1,000 additional staff?

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

Labour pledged to create a new unit to fast-track the removal of people with no right to stay in the UK. Read

Gov Tracker

9 March 2026

Appears on track

Government Tracker

Is the government on track to reduce net migration?

By Joshua Salisbury and Hannah Smith • 3 mins

Full Fact takes a look at Labour’s manifesto pledge to reduce net migration. Read

Gov Tracker

6 March 2026

Appears on track

Government Tracker

Are living standards improving in every part of the UK?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

Full Fact looks at whether the government’s new ‘Plan for Change’ pledge to raise living standards in every part of the UK is on track. Read

Gov Tracker

17 February 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Has the government fulfilled its promise of ‘safer town centres’?

By Hannah Smith • 3 mins

The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee committed to creating “safer town centres” by cracking down on shoplifting, street theft and assaults against retail workers. Read

Gov Tracker

17 February 2026

In progress

Government Tracker

Has the government’s ‘crackdown on anti-social behaviour’ been successful?

By Hannah Smith • 2 mins

The government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee committed to tackling anti-social behaviour in local communities. Read

Gov Tracker

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