Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 70
70
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 248
Paramilitary drug crime and political stalemate hinder Northern Ireland's drug response.
Conclusion
We are deeply concerned by the role paramilitary groups play in organised drug crime in Northern Ireland, and the impact that this has on local communities, children and young people. We are also deeply concerned by the effect the current political stalemate is having in Northern Ireland and the extent to which it restricts Northern Ireland’s response to drugs, among many other issues. However, we welcome the continued efforts of public services and stakeholders to respond to drugs, particularly efforts that adopt a multi-agency response.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about paramilitary groups and the political stalemate in Northern Ireland, outlining ongoing financial commitments to anti-paramilitarism efforts. It also clarifies devolved responsibilities for drug policy and commits to strengthening UK-wide collaboration, with a ministerial meeting planned.
Paragraph Reference:
248
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government remains committed to supporting, to the fullest extent possible, the Northern Ireland Executive-led efforts to end paramilitarism and organised crime. Following commitments made in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ deal in 2020,25 the Government committed c.£8 million per year for the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme to match NI Executive funding until March 2024. The Government has also committed to providing up to a further c.£8 million for the financial year 2024–2025, which will see a sustained level of Government support beyond the current phase of the Programme. The main legal framework relating to the misuse of drugs, including the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, is reserved to the UK Government. The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 apply to England, Wales and Scotland only but Northern Ireland has equivalent legislation, the Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, which broadly mirrors these. Northern Ireland, like Scotland and Wales has its own approach towards tackling drug misuse in areas where responsibility is devolved including policing, criminal justice, healthcare, social care and education. As set out in the Drug Strategy, we are committed to building a stronger UK- wide approach so that we further embed collaboration, share practice with each other and collectively build the evidence base on drugs issues. This includes working collaboratively to achieve shared goals in preventing drug- related deaths. The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire will be meeting with representatives from the Devolved Governments in November, for the next UK Drugs Ministerial meeting to discuss how we can continue to work constructively and collaboratively together.