Eleventh Report - Reducing the harm from illegal drugs
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 72
9 February 2024
Government Response (AI assessment · 24 of 25 classified)
Accepted
19
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Eleventh report from Session 2023-24 · published 2 Apr 2024
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Progress observed in drug worker recruitment, county lines disruption, and police diversion tactics.
Conclusion
There have been signs of progress in some areas.24 For example, local areas have recruited an extra 1,220 drug workers, exceeding the 3-year target already.25 In terms of disrupting the supply of drugs, over 2,000 county lines have been closed …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the committee's observation on progress and provided further specific achievements, including increasing treatment places, closing county lines, improving prison leaver treatment, and expanding drug testing on arrest.
HM Treasury
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14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Lack of long-term funding certainty for drug strategy poses risks for local bodies.
Conclusion
While the strategy has a 10-year timescale to achieve its intended outcomes, its funding allocations are restricted to government Spending Review periods, typically for two to four years.42 When asked about how they could provide greater assurance to local bodies …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about long-term funding, explaining that spending reviews dictate allocations and that work is ongoing to develop a strong case for investment beyond March 2025.
HM Treasury
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Drug strategy's outcomes framework risks perverse incentives, prioritising process over recovery and impact.
Conclusion
We have previously highlighted the importance of effective performance metrics as a means of assessing progress in implementation.60 The JCDU has developed the National Outcomes Framework as a basis for assessing progress towards outcomes of reduced 48 C&AG’s Report, para …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged concerns about performance metrics by stating ongoing evaluations and tracking of outcomes within the National Combating Drugs Outcomes Framework will increase understanding of progress and inform potential adjustments to their approach.
HM Treasury
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