The UK government has said it will not make changes to drug laws to allow the creation of more legal drug consumption rooms.

In January, The Thistle in Glasgow became the UK’s first facility where people could inject heroin or cocaine while under medical supervision without being prosecuted.

The Scottish Affairs Committee recommended that the UK government should change reserved legislation to create a new legal framework for similar facilities to open across Scotland, but this has been refused.

However the Home Office granted a licence to legally test drugs for dangerous contaminants at the same site as The Thistle, making Glasgow the first city in Scotland to offer this.

Health experts at the facility in the city’s east end had also wanted to add an inhalation room.

In a letter responding to recommendations made by the Scottish Affairs Committee, the UK government said it had no plans to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

It added: “The UK government does not support drug consumption rooms or the expansion of facilities at The Thistle to enable users to inhale drugs and has no plans to make legislative changes to enable the provision of such paraphernalia as part of its operation.”

However a spokesperson said they would welcome any evidence that emerges after the facility’s three-year pilot ends.

Drug laws are set at Westminster but are enforced by the Scottish courts.

The Thistle was able to open after the Lord Advocate announced a change in policy which meant users would not be prosecuted for possessing illegal drugs while at the facility.

Patricia Ferguson, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said she was “disappointed” that the UK government had dismissed the idea of amending drugs legislation.

She said: “Throughout our inquiry, the committee was told that the facility’s current legal footing is precarious and not a substitute for proper regulation.

“Given the scale of Scotland’s crisis, the UK government shouldn’t take any option that could help reduce deaths off the table.

“The UK government needs to follow the evidence, and I urge them again to not make any final decisions on The Thistle until its effectiveness is properly assessed by the independent evaluation. In the meantime, until its pilot ends, the committee will continue to closely follow The Thistle and its progress.”

However Ms Ferguson welcomed the news of the drugs-checking licence as she said it would reduce drug deaths in the city and give the health experts at the facility a better understanding of new drug trends.

Public Health Scotland said in August that nitazenes – super-strong synthetic opioids – were being widely detected in drugs available in Scotland.

And in September, Glasgow’s health board issued a warning about crack cocaine in the city potentially being cut with other dangerous substances.

It came after a series of suspected drug incidents where a man died on Cambridge Street and others were hospitalised following incidents on Cresswell Street and Renfield Lane.

A second drugs consumption room could open in Edinburgh after council officials earmarked two potential sites.

Locals will be consulted on the proposals in the new year.