‘Enough is enough’: Refuge slams lack of VAWG funding in Spending Review

Responding to today’s Spending Review, Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:  

“Today’s Spending Review should have marked a defining moment for the Government’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) within the next decade. Yet, this critical opportunity was missed, with the Chancellor failing to mention domestic abuse or VAWG when setting out the Spending Review. 

“As it stands, there is an estimated shortfall of £307 million* in current spending on VAWG. Instead of much-needed investment, the Government is now making overall budget cuts to the Home Office – the department responsible for tackling VAWG – and to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which plays a key role in commissioning specialist services for survivors. This is not just deeply disappointing; it raises serious questions about the Government’s commitment to addressing VAWG. 

“Refuge has been clear: if the Government is serious about its pledge to halve VAWG, it must back that commitment with sufficient funding. This includes not only direct investment in lifesaving VAWG services such as refuge accommodation, but also sufficient resources for the public services responsible for delivering on that promise. 

“While increased police spending, investment in probation services, and funding to tackle the severe courts backlog are welcome, make no mistake: these efforts still fall far short of the co-ordinated investment required to prevent VAWG. The pledge alone will not protect women and girls from the epidemic of violence and abuse we are witnessing. Without adequate, sustained funding, the Government risks failing the millions who are impacted by VAWG every year. 

“Enough is enough – women and girls deserve more than empty promises. Every two minutes, someone turns to Refuge for support, and this demand is only increasing. While attention now turns to individual departments to prioritise VAWG, the message from today’s Spending Review is clear: halving violence against women and girls is not the priority the Government claims it to be.”