Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the merits of transferring the responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands to the Mayor of the West Midlands.
The transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) functions to a combined authority mayor can offer wider levers to prevent crime.
Mayors with broader responsibilities, including PCC functions, can enhance collaboration, joint working, and align public service delivery strategies to boost local outcomes.
With an expanded role comes a higher public profile, visibility, and greater ability to bring about local change. As set out in the Levelling Up White Paper, where possible, the Government will look to have combined authority mayors exercise PCC functions where boundaries align and will take steps to remove barriers to more combined authority mayors taking on these functions.