MPs are calling for safe spaces for illegal drug consumption to be introduced in the UK as part of an overhaul of drug laws.
Over the past few years, the Scottish Government has been pressing for so-called ‘safe consumption facilities’ to be set up across the UK, where drug users would effectively be able to take illegal substances under medical supervision.
The aim of these ‘safe spaces’ would be to eventually prevent drug-related overdoses and other drug-related incidents in areas nationwide where there’s deemed to be a need.
But so far, all their calls have been blocked the central Government in Westminster – until today.
Now, the Home Affairs Committee has published a report that recommends a pilot in Glasgow be supported by Westminster and jointly-funded by both Governments, and, in the instance that the UK Government remains unwilling to support the pilot, then the Committee wants the power to establish the pilot devolved to the Scottish Government.
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MPs call for ‘safe spaces’ where illegal drugs can be taken in the UK / Credit: Pxfuel
“We recommend the government support a pilot in Glasgow by creating a legislative pathway under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 that enables such a facility to operate legally,” the Committee said in its report.
The report also recommended that the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) “jointly establish a national drug checking service in England” to enable people to “submit drug samples by post anonymously”.
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A review of the existing classifications of controlled substances by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was also called for to ensure they “accurately reflect the risk of harm” – with further reviews every 10 years.
The Committee also said both the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 require reform, adding in its report: “We recommend that the UK government reform the 1971 Act and 2001 Regulations in a way that promotes a greater role for public health in our response to drugs, whilst maintaining our law enforcement to tackling the illicit production and supply of controlled drugs.”
The Committee’s report today comes after figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) revealed last week that Scotland has seen its largest-ever fall in drug deaths, with a total of 1,051 deaths due to drug misuse in 2022 – which is a drop of 279 on the previous year.
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However, while this is the lowest figure since 2017, the NRS data still showed that the rate of deaths is “much higher” than it was when recording the data began in 1996.
The Home Affairs Committee has published a report today / Credit: Rawpixel
Several UK MPs have said the recommended pilot “must be evaluated” by the UK Government in order to establish a “reliable evidence base on the utility of a safe consumption facility” nationwide.
In response to the Committee’s reports and recommendations, a Home Office spokesperson said claimed there is “no safe way to take illegal drugs” as they “devastate lives, ruin families, and damage communities”.
“We have no plans to consider this,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“Our 10-year Drugs Strategy set out ambitious plans, backed with a record £3 billion funding over three years, to tackle the supply of illicit drugs through relentless policing action and building a world-class system of treatment and recovery to turn people’s lives around and prevent crime.”
Featured Image – Pxfuel
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Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)
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Super League ‘Rivals Round’ fixtures confirmed, with two big North West clashes
Danny Jones
The Betfred Super League (BSL) ‘Rivals Round’ games for 2026 have been confirmed, with two big regional clashes coming in time for the spring.
Returning for 2026, the annual meeting of multiple teams coming up against their fiercest and most historic rivals will land on round seven of the calendar over the traditional Easter weekend.
Despite the competition having sadly lost Salford Red Devils following their forced relegation, local rugby fans will still be glad to see the borough of Wigan, as well as neighbouring Cheshire and nearby Merseyside clubs, coming up against each other in what is a highly anticipated fixture on the calendar.
Announcing the now fully confirmed matches this week, the total of seven matches are set to be played between Friday, 3 April and the following Sunday, 5 April.
In the Super League’s own words, there are few gameweeks more box office than the Rivals Round – “where the games mean more, hit harder and have the ability to divide towns and families.”
After the inaugural edition of the modern round in 2021, this year saw the division record a best-ever attendance of 86,080 across a six-match period, and with an extra game being played next season, we’re expecting more ground to be broken.
“The most intense and historic rivalries will go head-to-head with huge crowds anticipated, emotions running high and everyone expected to bring their A game”, say the BSL.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights – Saturday, 4 April
Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity – Sunday, 5 April
One of the most notable exclusions among the slate, of course, is that of Salford Red Devils, as various players and staff members continue to leave the club during this increasingly concerning and deep period of uncertainty.
Salford supporters have given a clear response following the decisive drop in IMG gradings:
Although they are now longer in rugby league’s premier domestic tier, Salford are still expected to take part in the Challenge Cup tournament, which begins in January.
Betfred and the RFL revealed the most recent ties on Monday, 24 November, with the Devils due to face either Royal Navy Rugby or Hammersmith Hills Hoists in the second round.
Meanwhile, with the new campaign kicking off in February, rugby fans will only have to wait a couple of months to witness the upcoming instalments in the various rivalries.
Safe to say it’s going to be a spicy Easter break.
Emily Sergeant -
31st August 2023 
