The government has launched a new inquiry into how services tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) are funded, ahead of a strategy set to be published later this year. The Home Affairs Committee will assess whether funding is being allocated effectively, how outcomes are measured, and whether existing data is fit for purpose.
The inquiry will look at the way funding decisions are made across government departments, police forces, and voluntary organisations, many of which provide frontline support for survivors. It will also examine whether different funding sources are well-coordinated and if they achieve meaningful results.
Dame Karen Bradley, chair of the Home Affairs Committee, said the inquiry aims to build a clearer picture of how VAWG services are funded to influence the upcoming strategy. The government has committed to halving violence against women and girls, but questions remain over whether current funding structures are fit to meet this target.
A major focus will be on how funding priorities are set and whether they align with the realities faced by organisations working on the ground. Many charities and specialist services have warned for years that short-term funding cycles and inconsistent support make it difficult to plan and provide long-term care. Ensuring stability for these services is a key concern, with some providers reporting that funding often does not reflect the scale of demand.
The committee is inviting written evidence on a range of questions, including how VAWG should be measured and what challenges organisations face in accessing funds. The deadline for submissions is 9 April.
Campaigners have long argued that funding for tackling violence against women and girls is patchy and insufficient, with many services struggling to stay afloat. Women’s refuges, sexual violence support services, and specialist organisations serving marginalised groups have all faced funding shortfalls. Some have warned that the government’s current approach risks failing survivors who rely on these services for safety and support.
There are also concerns about how success is measured. Organisations providing VAWG services often highlight that impact goes beyond simple statistics, with qualitative data—such as survivor experiences and long-term recovery—being harder to quantify. This inquiry will examine whether the current system of measuring success properly reflects the work being done and the needs of those accessing support.
Funding coordination is another area under scrutiny. Many services receive money from multiple sources, including local councils, the Home Office, and independent grants, making it difficult to track how resources are distributed and whether they are used effectively. The inquiry will look at whether better coordination is needed to prevent duplication, inefficiencies, or gaps in provision.
International examples of funding and policy approaches will also be reviewed to see if the UK can learn from successful models elsewhere.
While the government’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls has been welcomed, there is growing pressure to ensure this ambition is matched by adequate and sustained funding. With the Home Affairs Committee now gathering evidence, the outcome of this inquiry could influence how resources are allocated in the years to come. Whether it leads to lasting change, however, remains to be seen.