Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Accepted
Paragraph: 110
Duty to collaborate for community-based victim support services remains insufficient and unfunded
Conclusion
We are concerned that the duty to collaborate does not go far enough to ensure that vital, community-based support services are available to victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The duty must be strengthened to require the agencies described to collaborate and commission community-based services. That duty should be accompanied by an appropriate, multi-year funding package. Without the necessary funding in place the Bill risks raising victims’ awareness of their rights only to leave them unable to access them due to the relevant services already working at full capacity.
Government Response Summary
The government rejects strengthening the duty to collaborate but commits to increased multi-year funding for victim services, including a minimum of £460 million over three years for PCC-funded services and an additional £20 million for NHS England for sexual and domestic abuse services.
Paragraph Reference:
110
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
50. The Government recognises that victim support services are crucial for victims to be able to cope and recover from the impact of crime. This support is commissioned by PCCs, ICBs and local authorities in a range of ways under existing statutory responsibilities, which vary by commissioner. For example, currently PCCs may commission victim support services; ICBs are required to commission services to meet the health needs of their population; and local authorities have safeguarding and community safety responsibilities. All of this commissioning activity may include services that benefit victims, even if it is not a service commissioned solely for victims. 51. To improve service provision, the Bill requires collaboration so that those existing commissioning processes can be strengthened through integration across health, local 18 Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Victims Bill: Government Response government and policing. We consider that this recognises the separate commissioning responsibilities of these different groups to provide services across a range of settings and cohorts, while requiring specific joint consideration of how these services work for victims. We therefore do not consider that any changes are necessary. 52. The Bill aims to join up commissioning processes, and to make best use of resources across the services they commission. While the Government recognises that funding for service provision is crucial, this is being addressed outside of legislation. Funding for different commissioners is separate, and the Victims Funding Strategy, published in May 2022, provides a framework for how agencies across government should work together to best resource the victim support sector. It also promotes multi-year funding and sustainable commissioning practices. The Government has recently increased multi- year funding for PCC-funded victims services to a minimum of £460 million over the next three years (22/23 to 24/25 inclusive), and NHS England’s funding for sexual and domestic abuse will increase with an additional £20m over the next three years, up from £42m in 2021/22.