Keir Starmer faces a major crisis as Labour councillors in Hartlepool threaten mass resignation over poor funding for children in care. Hartlepool council leader Pamela Hargreaves said the 21 Labour councillors feel "betrayed" and "let down" after the government denied an extra £3 million needed to manage social care costs. Hartlepool has the third-highest rate of children in care in England, with social care expenses rising sharply. The government offered a £3 million increase, but Labour MP Jonathan Brash said this only covers the cost for six children in care. Hargreaves warned that without the extra funds, vital services like libraries and youth programs face cuts, and council tax will rise by the maximum allowed. She said, "£3m is all I wanted and we could have balanced the books this year." The Labour group gained control of Hartlepool two years ago but now feels abandoned by the government they helped elect. Hargreaves added, "We’ve stomped the streets... gone to the people and asked them to trust us and to believe in Labour again. And now here we are again at the 11th hour with not enough money to fix the issues that are beyond our control." She said resignation is "definitely on the table" if funding does not improve. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Starmer faces criticism for policy U-turns that cause local confusion. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not yet commented on the crisis.