The money includes spending announced earlier this year, which saw £1.5bn pledged to 75 of the “most deprived” areas in the UK.
But not everyone is convinced with some rival parties suggesting the pledge is part of Labour’s attempt to tackle an electoral threat posed to them by the rising popularity of Reform UK.
“It is a massive confidence trick where they use people’s own money to bribe them or convince them that it is a good idea,” said Chris Hudson, group leader for Reform on Suffolk County Council where the party has three out of the 75 seats, external at the Conservative-run local authority, where elections are due next May.
“It neglects all of the other Suffolk communities, which can fuel great resentment and a sense of inequality – it’s a postcode lottery,” said Hudson, who represents Belstead Brook.
“It is a backlash waiting to happen and this is an act of desperation. It risks wasting money on a short-term gimmick instead of a long-term priority for our most in-need areas.”