PM says he is 'open' to devolving policing in Wales

Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is open to the idea of giving the Welsh government control of policing in Wales.

His comments were a marked change in tone from what the UK government has previously said, with the idea rejected in the past.

Burnham said that while he could not make promises, he would be "open to the conversation", and that with "wider policing reform" going on it was a "good time to look at those issues".

But he played down any prospect of a review of the way Welsh public services are funded through the Barnett Formula.

Policing in Wales is overseen by Westminster, unlike in Scotland and Northern Ireland where the countries' own devolved governments are responsible.

Plaid Cymru's Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams, who met Burnham on Thursday, welcomed his comments on policing.

One Labour MP told BBC Wales that most of their colleagues in Westminster would be opposed to the devolution of policing, while Reform criticised the proposal.

Burnham also said that Wales and Scotland should both consider ways to deepen devolution by following England's model of giving more powers to cities and regions.

He said he wanted to offer the Welsh government and Wales' "various communities and regions" the "ability to have deeper devolution in the way that we're pioneering in England".

The prime minister said it could be discussed at a summit planned with the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland planned for October.

Calls for the devolution of policing and criminal justice had been shared by Plaid Cymru and the Senedd's Welsh Labour politicians, but not the previous UK Labour government led by Sir Keir Starmer.

In January, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said plans to overhaul policing services would not see the Welsh government given new powers.

Burnham, who succeeded Sir Keir in July, made the comments at the Port Talbot steelworks, on his first official visit to Wales since he entered No 10.

Labour had been unseated from the Welsh government for the first time in its history by Plaid Cymru in the Senedd election in May.

Burnham met Welsh government Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams in Port Talbot on Thursday, with First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth currently on leave.

Ap Iorwerth made negotiations with Westminster for more powers a key part of his election campaign.

Burnham said he had promised the Welsh government "to look at any asks for further devolution and policing has been specifically mentioned within that".

"That's an issue I'm certainly prepared to look at, and I hear what you're saying," he said.

"As a former mayor that had those responsibilities, I understand how much you can do when you can really make policing right for the places and the people where you are.

"So I hear that call, I'm open to the discussion with the Welsh government

"As part of the wider policing reform that's going on, it seems a good time to have a look at those issues.

"So I can't promise today, but what I can say is I'm open to the conversation."

The Press Association reported that Wales' appeals to get control over the Crown Estate - revenue raised from land owned by the monarch - would be given a "fair hearing" by Burnham at the October summit.

"Maybe there's an argument for deeper devolution, so more power into the cities and the regions of Wales, to north Wales working more with the North West, or mid Wales more with the West Midlands, of the kind of devolution that is developing now quite quickly across England," Burnham said.

In a book two years ago Burnham said it had been time to "tear up" the Barnett Formula funding arrangements.

BBC Wales reported in June that Burnham had no intention of reforming the system that allocated cash to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland based largely on their share of population.

Critics have argued that it did not fully take Wales' needs into account.

In Port Talbot, Burnham indicated that reform of Barnett was still not on the table.

He said: "I have a very clear view about creating a Britain that's fair, that treats all people and all places equally.

"I'm well aware of the concerns about the Barnett formula here in Wales.

"I have to be honest and say - there's only so many things I can do in the time that I've got.

"At the moment I can't promise there will be moves to review that."

Burnham's comments on policing prompted concern from one Labour MP, who told BBC Wales: "It will be a travesty and not in Wales's interest."

They said it would not be "welcomed by a majority" of Welsh Labour parliamentarians in Westminster.

Another Labour MP said it was "good" that the prime minister was open to the devolution of policing, and there was "no harm" in discussing it.

But they added: "My feeling is they shouldn't devolve anything until we've got a grip of the NHS and education and Plaid have earned their stripes."

Welsh Deputy First Minister, Sioned Williams, said: "I was pleased to have a constructive meeting with the prime minister today and discuss areas of shared interest between our two governments.

"We have been clear that the case for devolving policing is open and shut, so the prime minister's willingness to engage on the issue is a welcome change in tone."

Reform Wales Leader Dan Thomas objected to the devolution of policing, adding: "Plaid's record on devolution, in cahoots with Labour over the past 27 years is one of failure and chaos.

"Wales has a failing health service, falling education standards and a struggling economy. Can you imagine what Plaid will do to policing here in Wales?"

Additional reporting by Bethan James.