Uncertainty over funding allocations has made it difficult for local authorities to commission and deliver the high-quality treatment and recovery services that are needed. In 2022–23 and 2023–24, DHSC encountered delays in allocating substance misuse treatment funding to local authorities. These delays hindered early progress by making it harder for local authorities to commission services. We welcome that DHSC has confirmed substance misuse treatment funding for 2024–25 though note that at the time of our evidence session in December it had yet to award its public health grant. As we said in our report on Alcohol Treatment Services, DHSC should set out annual funding allocations to local authorities in good time. Further, as strategy funding is only committed to 2024–25, it is difficult for local authorities to recruit staff and contract with service providers to rebuild the treatment workforce. We are disappointed that departments seem unwilling to explore how to provide local authorities with more confidence over long-term funding. Recommendation 3: To improve certainty around funding for drug treatment services, the DHSC and Home Office should: • ensure allocations of drug-related funding and public health grant are confirmed well before the start of the relevant financial year; and, • consider what comfort they can provide to local authorities to allow them to plan for the longer term and deliver the right investments to make a difference in their areas.