NDM9148 - Opposition Debate
Tabled on 04/02/2026 | For debate on 11/02/2026To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes:
a) the recommendations of the Thomas Commission and the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future that policing and justice should be devolved to Wales; and
b) that the Welsh Government's budget for 2026-27 has allocated over £100 million in spending for policing despite it not being a devolved area of responsibility.
2. Regrets:
a) the failure of Labour’s partnership in power to advance the cause of devolution in this area; and
b) that the police precept element of council tax has increased substantially in recent years due to cuts in UK central funding.
3. Believes the UK Government’s White Paper on police reforms represents a critical opportunity to devolve policing and justice powers in full, to better align services for the benefit of the people of Wales, in line with arrangements already in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
4. Calls on the UK Government to include a commitment to devolve policing and justice powers in full to Wales in the White Paper.
White Paper: From local to national: a new model for policing
Commission on Justice in Wales (Thomas Commission) report
Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales: final report
Tabled By
Amendments
Delete all after 1 b) and replace with:
the positive impact of £100m of Welsh Government funding on community safety, crime prevention and supporting victims of crime;
the constructive approach of the Police Reform White Paper in engaging with the unique Welsh landscape, and the commitments to work with Welsh partners to develop models of governance for Wales.
Welcomes:
a) the Welsh Government’s commitment to continue advocating for the devolution of policing and justice; and
b) the Welsh Government’s plans for working with partner organisations to identify the best possible future governance arrangements for policing in Wales, and the principles underlying that work, as set out in a Written Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip on 27 January 2026.
