What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the full impact of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on devolution and Welsh communities?
I have considered the provisions within the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in detail and how they will impact Wales. The Bill covers a wide range of areas within criminal justice and the majority are reserved matters. However, there are some provisions within the Bill, which I believe are within the legislative competence of the Senedd. Consequently, I laid a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) on 28 May 2021, outlining these provisions. The LCM will be considered at Business Committee and referred for scrutiny. This will allow Senedd Members to debate and scrutinise the provisions in the Bill that affect the legislative competence of the Senedd.
There are provisions within the Bill that provide positive changes to improve the safety of communities in Wales. However, there are also provisions which do not align with Welsh Government’s policy priorities and strategic aims. These include the Serious Violence Duty, Unauthorised Encampments, Public Nuisance and Criminal Damage to Memorials: Mode of Trial clauses.