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 while he could not make promises he was "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 oversee it.

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."

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."