The Government has announced £421 million of funding to support council-commissioned drug and alcohol treatment services for the next two years.
The funding will enable the creation of more than 50,000 high-quality places in drug and alcohol treatment, with 151 councils across England receiving allocations for the work they do in communities.
However, the LGA and councils have called on the Government to urgently publish their public health grant allocations for 2023/24, which also go to fund support services. The announcement on the public health grant has been repeatedly delayed, with councils warning that they are being left in the dark about how to fund services such as sexual health clinics, health visiting and addiction support after April.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board said: “This additional funding is important in helping to support councils in addressing drug and alcohol dependency, and will make a real difference to transforming the lives of those who need it in our communities.
“For many problem users, their first experience of treatment is the catalyst for getting the help they need. However, councils’ allocations for the local public health grant from April, which also goes to fund local addiction support services, has still yet to be announced – leaving the future of many vital services in doubt.
“The Government should give these services long-term certainty by urgently publishing the public health settlement which helps councils plan for the future.”