Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Deferred
Financial uncertainty significantly harms smaller 'by-and-for' VAWG services crucial for diverse survivor needs.
Recommendation
This financial uncertainty can have particularly devastating consequences on smaller, specialist organisations, including those run ‘by–and–for’ the people that they serve. Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse told us that funding ‘by–and–for’ services not only ensures adequate support for all survivors, regardless of specific needs, but also saves costs. For example, research referenced by Southall Black Sisters suggests that when migrant survivors with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) can access ‘by–and–for’ services, net savings to local public services over 3 years total more than £18,000 per women.36 However, After Exploitation told us that throughout the delivery of the 2021 VAWG Strategy there was a dearth of support services ‘by–and–for’ survivors with diverse characteristics.37 The Home Office told us that it is committed to taking an intersectional approach to its new strategy, so that it recognises the diverse range of needs.38 35 Q 40 36 VAWG0069; VAWG0078 37 VAWG0059 38 Q 87 15 2 Monitoring and evaluation Engaging locally to understand what works
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, committing to ensure maximum financial stability for the VAWG sector, particularly specialist 'by-and-for' organisations, with a target implementation date of Autumn 2025. However, specific funding allocations and cross-government spending plans will only be clarified after the Spending Review and subsequent departmental budget processes, with an update to the Committee expected thereafter.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 3.2 The government is committed to delivering its ambition to halve VAWG in a decade, underpinned by a transformational approach to be set out in the upcoming VAWG Strategy. This includes ensuring that maximum stability is provided to the sector so that they can continue to deliver for victims and respond to perpetrators. 3.3 The Home Office is due to undergo the departmental budget allocations process, following the Spending Review, through which the final funding allocation will be agreed. 3.4 The coordination of VAWG spending across government will also be subject to other Government departments completing their own internal allocation processes. 3.5 Once the Home Office has decisions and clarity on plans for cross-government spending on VAWG for the Spending Review period, the Home Office will write to update the Committee.