7th Report - Female genital mutilation

The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, stating that Integrated Care Boards commission services based on local needs, which accounts for variation. It notes that some high-prevalence areas use Women’s Health Hubs and that NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, but does not commit to new actions to ensure universal access or establish specific multidisciplinary services or clear referral pathways as recommended.

The government states ICBs are already responsible for commissioning FGM services and have local demand understanding via the FGM Enhanced Dataset. However, it notes that disaggregating spending on FGM services for publication is often not possible due to services sitting within broader care.

The government states that all healthcare staff must complete safeguarding training including FGM, and an FGM e-learning module is being refreshed for 2026 to ensure sensitive, trauma-informed responses and clear referral pathways. NHS England and DHSC will develop a communications plan to encourage uptake of this training.

The government agrees with the recommendation to research FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals and aiming to advertise a timeline by the end of the year.

The government has initiated a study to assess the viability of a national prevalence estimate for FGM and is working to complete it. The NHS already collects and publishes data on FGM, including country of birth, through its Enhanced Dataset, which is currently undergoing amendments to improve data quality.

The government is unable to comment on future spending but announced a community engagement campaign on 'honour'-based abuse, including FGM, to be launched in August 2025 through specialist organisations. It also established an HBA sector engagement group and part-funds relevant helplines.

The government will convene a Ministerial roundtable with relevant departments to explore improving FGM prevention and prosecution efforts and multi-agency working. The CPS has also developed an Action Plan, including National Scrutiny Panels and a multi-agency conference, to strengthen oversight and update FGM case protocols.

The government will jointly convene a Ministerial roundtable to explore improving FGM prevention and prosecution efforts and multi-agency working, though it cannot comment on spending beyond March 2026. The Crown Prosecution Service has also developed an Action Plan, including National Scrutiny Panels and a multi-agency conference, to strengthen oversight and update protocols for prosecuting FGM cases.

The government outlines existing multi-agency guidance and e-learning for professionals. It commits to refreshing the e-Learning for Healthcare FGM Module for publication in 2026 and reviewing "Working Together" guidance to potentially strengthen FGM wording, thereby addressing the call for improved training.

The government states that Border officials already receive training, including mandatory e-learning, to identify and deal with FGM risks, and this training is regularly reviewed. Joint operations are ongoing, and the Forced Marriage Unit provides support and training to frontline professionals, including border officials.

The government will work with the Department for Education and other departments to ensure FGM Protection Orders are well understood and promoted. It also notes that FGMPO data is already published quarterly and existing guidance is available for professionals.

The government committed to the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) developing a research call into FGM survivors' awareness of long-term health implications, with a timeline for advertisement aimed by the end of the year.

The government describes existing FGM support clinics and NHS services, noting ICBs commission pathways based on local populations, which inherently leads to variation. It states NHS Talking Therapies are being expanded, with trained therapists for trauma, but does not commit to specific actions to improve national consistency or referral pathways for FGM services.

The government committed to convening a Ministerial roundtable with relevant departments to explore improved prevention and prosecution efforts against FGM, and detailed new Crown Prosecution Service actions like National Scrutiny Panels to strengthen oversight and governance of FGM cases.

The government states that all healthcare staff must complete mandatory safeguarding training focusing on FGM and that a national e-learning module for FGM is being refreshed for publication in 2026. This refreshed training will promote sensitive communication and help professionals effectively support survivors.

The government states that ICBs and NHS Providers are responsible for ensuring translation and interpretation services are available and culturally sensitive. NHS England will ask ICBs to share the working definition of trauma-informed practice with their translation providers to improve support for FGM survivors.

The government agrees this is an important research area, with the National Institute for Health and Care Research developing a call for proposals into FGM reconstructive surgery effectiveness and aiming to advertise a timeline by year-end.

The government is conducting a study to test the viability of producing a national FGM prevalence estimate, with work already underway. NHS England also operates an FGM Enhanced Dataset which is being amended to improve data quality and completeness to support national and local policy and service planning.

The government will deliver a campaign with a specific focus on FGM through specialist organisations and community experts, and has launched an 'Honour'-Based Abuse sector engagement group to collaborate with grassroots organisations on policy development.

The government states that all professionals with safeguarding responsibilities, including healthcare staff, receive mandatory FGM training. It commits to refreshing a national e-learning module by 2026 to promote sensitive communication and ensure professionals are equipped to identify and support FGM survivors, also reviewing broader safeguarding guidance.

The government highlights existing, regularly reviewed and updated training for Border Force officials, including mandatory e-learning, and ongoing joint operations like 'Operation LIMELIGHT' and the Forced Marriage Unit's outreach programmes to address FGM.

Acknowledging FGM Protection Orders (FGMPOs) as a vital tool, the government commits to working with the Department for Education and other departments to ensure these orders are well understood and promoted to victims.