On 17 July, King Charles III delivered his second-ever King’s Speech. It marked the 2024 state opening of Parliament. He outlined Labour's vision for the nation and key legislation the government will prioritise in the coming months. Several Bills may directly impact our work in the addictions treatment and support sector. While some developments show promise, there are also concerning omissions.
Promising developments
Crime and Policing Bill
We welcome the commitment to strengthen community policing and support for victims. Enhancing the presence and effectiveness of community policing can play a role in improving the safety and well-being of communities.
However, we must remember addiction is a social issue underpinned by the toxic combination of exclusion, poverty, and trauma. Those affected must be treated fairly, justly, and with dignity.
Victims, Courts, and Public Protection Bill
This builds on the Crime and Policing Bill. It will ensure victims of crime get the support they need for recovery and empowerment. It will also strengthen the Victims’ Commissioner’s powers to hold the justice system to account on behalf of victims.
These measures may be a positive step - as long as they recognise the corrosive effect of stigma towards people who experience addiction. We hope they will lead to tangible improvements in security, reductions in drug and alcohol-related crime, and enhanced protection for the vulnerable.
Mental Health Bill
Updating the Mental Health Act is long overdue. As highlighted in the speech, the government intends to modernise the Mental Health Act, so it is fit for the 21st century.
This is a significant milestone. We look forward to seeing detailed plans outlining how these reforms will address specific areas within mental health care.
There is a pressing need to improve the alignment between mental health and addiction support services. This is essential to provide holistic care to meet the complex needs of individuals dealing with co-occurring mental health conditions and substance addiction. The APA Co-occurring Conditions Group will be scrutinising any new measures in this context.
Areas of concern
Gambling harms
Notably, gambling harms were not addressed within the King’s Speech, however, this is likely because the gambling levy reforms will not require primary legislation. However, this issue is critical and cannot be ignored. Our members report that needs are significantly unmet across the country.
We urge the new government to respond to the gambling levy consultation and implement the statutory levy. This step is necessary to unlock essential funding for gambling treatment providers and move away from the current voluntary funding system.
Drug strategy and funding
The Drug Strategy and recent uplift in funding did not feature in the King’s Speech. The next Spending Review must maintain or increase funding in line with Dame Carol Black’s independent review.
We urge the new government to promptly engage with the review’s recommendations to reduce drug-related harms, prevent deaths, and support more people and families on the path to recovery. Change is already underway and this must be continued.
Alcohol policy
The absence of any mention of alcohol policy is alarming. Alcohol-related harms are a major public health issue yet have been overlooked.
Year after year, the statistics for alcohol-specific deaths are rising. In 2022, there were 10,048 deaths from alcohol-specific causes registered in the UK, the highest number on record. This places an enormous burden on frontline services.
There are close links between alcohol and mental health. Alcohol can be used to mask or reduce symptoms of mental ill-health leading to dependency and ultimately worsening mental health conditions. Promoting safer and healthier relationships with alcohol is crucial for supporting mental wellbeing and reducing alcohol-related harm.
The new government must prioritise this area of public policy quickly and align efforts with initiatives like Alcohol Awareness Week. This will improve access to addiction services and ensure more people receive the help they need.
While we appreciate the legislation outlined in the Crime and Policing Bill, Victims, Courts, and Public Protection Bill, and Mental Health Bill, the omission of gambling harms, drug strategy funding, and alcohol policy from the King’s Speech is concerning.
We urge the government to tackle these neglected areas as part of their agenda. It is imperative to implement comprehensive public health and safety measures, for the country’s health and wellbeing.
We remain committed to advocating for significant advancements in the addiction sector to achieve parity with mainstream healthcare services.
The APA is ready to collaborate with the government to ensure these critical issues are addressed and improve outcomes for those affected by addiction.