Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Status: Closed Opened: 31 Jan 2025 Closed: 31 Jul 2026 18 recommendations 15 conclusions 1 report

The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hold a session in Parliament on Wednesday, 5 March to look at the prevalence and impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK and to examine the work of the UK Government to prevent FGM and to address the health consequences of survivors of FGM.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report - Female genital mutilation HC 714 12 Sep 2025 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
17 Recommendation 7th Report - Female genital mutilation Deferred

FGM persists within UK and through travel abroad, undermined by inconsistent government funding.

It is a matter of serious concern that evidence given to us and available data indicate both that FGM is taking place in the UK and that UK citizens or residents are being taken abroad to undergo FGM. The Government must allocate sufficient resources to tackle this form of gender-based … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government defers committing to the allocation of sufficient resources beyond March 2026, stating it is unable to comment on future spending. It refers to an FGM-focused campaign and ongoing funding for national helplines as part of its efforts to tackle FGM.
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Government Equalities Office
19 Recommendation 7th Report - Female genital mutilation Deferred

Restore Home Office funding to £2 million annually for FGM prevention initiatives and support services.

Given the ongoing risk of FGM in the UK, we recommend the Home Office restore funding to previous levels—we recommend an annual spend of at least £2 million—and commit to sustained funding for initiatives aimed at preventing and tackling FGM. Targeted support should be provided to local authorities with higher … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states it is unable to comment on spending beyond March 2026, thus deferring a commitment to sustained funding. It mentions an FGM-focused campaign and funding for other helplines, but does not commit to restoring funding to previous levels (at least £2 million annually) …
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Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

2 sessions
Date Witnesses
1 Jul 2026 Baroness Merron · Department of Health and Social Care, Professor Lucy Chappell · Department of Health and Social Care, Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe · NHS England, Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe · NHS England View ↗
5 Mar 2025 Aissa Edon · FGM Hope Clinic, Angela Craggs · National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), Gillian Squires Retd. Det. Con (W Midlands Police) · Honour Me Ltd, Grainne Boyle · NSPCC, Janet Fyle MBE · Royal College of Midwives, Juliet Albert · Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Professor Hassan Shehata · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Valerie Lolomari · Women of Grace UK View ↗

Who gave evidence

11 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Prof. Ramani Moonesinghe · National Clinical Director for Perioperative and … NHS England 2
Aissa Edon · Midwife and founder FGM Hope Clinic 1
Angela Craggs · Deputy National Lead for Harmful Practice National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) 1
Baroness Merron · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women'… Department of Health and Social Care 1
Gillian Squires Retd. Det. Con (W Midlands Police) · Director Honour Me Ltd 1
Grainne Boyle · Helpline Practice Manager NSPCC 1
Janet Fyle MBE · Professional Policy Advisor Royal College of Midwives 1
Juliet Albert · Specialist FGM Midwife Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust 1
Professor Hassan Shehata · Senior and Global Health Vice President Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) 1
Professor Lucy Chappell · Chief Scientific Adviser Department of Health and Social Care 1
Valerie Lolomari · Founder Women of Grace UK 1

Correspondence

8 letters
DateDirectionTitle
24 Jun 2026 Correspondence from Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC and CEO of NIHR re FGM rec…
18 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development and Afr…
2 Dec 2025 Correspondence to Minister of State (Intl Development and Africa) Foreign, Comm…
17 Oct 2025 To cttee Corres. with Chief Scientific Advisor, DHSC & Secretary of State for Health and…
25 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and …
19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education…
19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State fo…
19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG, re FGM, …