First minister urges Andy Burnham to give Wales more powers in first call

Wales' first minister has urged Andy Burnham to "turn his commitment to devolution into action" and expressed hope of building a "positive and productive relationship" with the new UK government.

In his first call with the new prime minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth urged him to hand Wales powers over policing, justice, rail and the Crown Estate.

Downing Street said the prime minister had spoken to the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and wanted a "collaborative, practical and pragmatic" relationship with the devolved administrations.

A spokesperson said closer working could help deliver "deeper devolution" and boost economic growth.

The prime minister was focused on "practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums", the spokesperson added.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar called for closer working with Westminster rather than further devolution.

The spokesperson said the prime minister looked forward to meeting the devolved leaders and visiting Wales soon.

Ap Iorwerth said: "I was pleased to congratulate the new prime minister on a call this morning and to set out my hope that we can build a positive and productive relationship.

"I urged him to turn his commitment to devolution into action by giving Wales the powers we need to improve outcomes for all our communities on policing, justice, the Crown Estate, rail and funding.

"I also conveyed my eagerness to work with him to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

"I look forward to meeting him very soon to begin discussions in earnest on behalf of the people of Wales."

The Crown Estate, a collection of land and marine assets held by the Crown and managed independently, owns more than £603m of assets in Wales, including the seabed out to 12 nautical miles and around 65% of the Welsh foreshore and riverbed.

Its profits are paid to the UK Treasury, with a proportion used to calculate the Sovereign Grant, which funds the official duties of the Royal Family.

Millar said the Welsh government should "stop the obsession with power-grabbing" and "grab the levers of power it already has to effect positive change for the people of Wales".

"Instead of demanding yet more powers, Plaid Cymru should use this opportunity to reset its relationship with the UK government and seek to secure commitments to deliver major energy and infrastructure projects, such as delivering nuclear projects at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd, securing steelmaking in Port Talbot, building an M4 relief road and the electrification of the North Wales main line," he said.