Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeff Smith and Sarah Jones

Monday 26th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Jeff Smith (Manchester Withington) (Lab)]

T9. Have Ministers noted the recent report from the University of Sheffield, which showed that drug diversion schemes for people caught in possession of controlled drugs are more successful at cutting reoffending than prosecutions? Will the Minister encourage police forces to use those schemes?

[Sarah Jones]

I have noted that piece of work. We support drug diversion schemes, which are part of the respect orders that we have announced today, part of our rough sleeping programme and part of lots of the work we do to help people get off drugs, but they are not a substitute for the right punishment where necessary.