Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of transferring Police and Crime Commissioner powers to combined authorities on communities.

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, the government’s ambition is that where mayoral geographies align with police force geographies, Mayors will be, by default, responsible for exercising Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) functions. By enabling more Mayors to take on PCC functions, we aim to provide efficient, accountable, and visible local leadership. More Mayors with public safety functions means strengthening Mayors’ accountability and enables them to forge stronger links and partnerships for the good of people in their areas. It will also enable them to better join up local services and take an integrated approach to improving local outcomes.