House of Commons · Urgent Question
15 December 2025 · 33 other contributors
Opened by Marie Goldman LD Chelmsford
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Marie Goldman raised concerns about violence against women and girls strategy 2025-12-15 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm that the violence against women and girls strategy will be published this Thursday, despite it being delayed three times this year? What steps are being taken to ensure the success of this strategy in halving violence against women and girls over a decade?
Question
The delay in publishing the strategy is disappointing. How will this strategy succeed where others have failed? What interim targets and consequences are set for missed targets?
Minister reply
I feel every moment of disappointment about past failures. The delays were my fault as I wanted to ensure the strategy was ambitious enough. Metrics and plans for measuring progress will be released on Thursday, allowing parliamentary scrutiny.
Question
Will the Minister meet with the all-party parliamentary group on domestic violence and abuse to discuss the strategy in detail?
Minister reply
I absolutely commit to meeting the all-party parliamentary groups on domestic violence, abuse, and perpetrators in the first week back from recess to discuss the strategy.
Question
Despite the previous Government's work under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, sexual offences have increased under this Government. What plan is there to identify and build on measures that are most effective? Will police forces be given resources needed to tackle violence against women and girls?
Minister reply
The reduction in police numbers cited was primarily during the previous government's tenure. We have made significant funding commitments, such as £499 million for refuge support over three years.
Question
Will Ministers from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government attend advisory board meetings? Will housing feature in the new strategy?
Minister reply
Ministers from MHCLG are key partners. The strategy includes refuge funding and an extra £19 million for part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act.
Question
How can we help both young men and young women not to feel judged, but to feel supported and helped to be healthy and respectful? Can the Minister give us a bit more detail about how we can move forward together?
Minister reply
The strategy will focus heavily on prevention, especially for teenage relationships where nearly half experience issues of control. The idea is to support both victims and perpetrators in order to foster healthier choices among young people.
Question
Can the Minister set out what she has been doing as a Minister to reassure commissioners that they can commission services, so that these services can continue their great work?
Minister reply
The comprehensive spending review will provide stability for three years. There is no reason why commissioners should not make decisions now based on the upcoming strategy, which incorporates significant input from the Home Affairs Committee.
Question
Can the Minister tell us whether the strategy will look at the funding model for the violence against women and girls sector?
Minister reply
The current commissioning model needs to change. The strategy will be truly cross-governmental, addressing issues such as housing and health services beyond just criminal justice.
Question
Can the Minister confirm that the strategy will deliver for women and girls suffering extreme violence?
Minister reply
The intention of the strategy is to ensure comprehensive state support wherever a woman comes forward or her perpetrator presents, addressing issues across police, health services, and social services.
Question
Can the Minister reassure me that the strategy has full support from all Government Departments, including the Attorney General’s Office?
Minister reply
The Attorney General and Solicitor General have been allies throughout this process. The strategy aims to improve every part of the justice system to build confidence in women and girls.
Question
Will the Minister confirm that the strategy will make provision to enable women and girls who request their right to ask to be better protected by Clare’s law?
Minister reply
The national policing centre for violence against women and girls is funded to do specific work on improving experiences related to Clare’s law, addressing failures in various areas.
Question
Will the strategy address the issue of child sexual abuse in the home and family, ensuring that Department of Health and Social Care ensures proper commissioning of rape and sexual violence services?
Minister reply
The issue of children and childhood sexual abuse will absolutely be part of the strategy. The focus is on supporting victims for safety and access to support for their children.
Question
Does the Minister agree that locally commissioned domestic abuse services should have statutory representation and multi-agency risk assessment conference boards, backed by dedicated funding?
Minister reply
While multi-agency responses are important, it is vital to ensure they deliver tangible results rather than just being theoretical. The strategy will not only focus on one partner but involve all relevant agencies.
Question
What specific interventions does the strategy propose to reduce repeat offending and limit abusers' access to their children when this puts mothers at risk?
Minister reply
The Government has announced a £53 million investment in schemes targeting violent perpetrators. The presumption of contact will also end, ensuring better protection for victims.
Question
Will the strategy consider social and emotional learning programmes in early years settings as part of the prevention strategy? Is she willing to meet Think Equal—an organisation that delivers such programmes?
Minister reply
The Minister is happy to speak with agencies offering new ideas. The strategy will include children from birth onwards, recognising early intervention's importance.
Question
Does the Minister agree that banning smartphones during school hours would improve pupils’ concentration and prevent boys from accessing abusive online content?
Minister reply
Age verification checks on Pornhub have led to a 77% reduction in access, but data collection is still crucial. The UK will look at global best practices for child safety.
Question
Will local authorities receive the necessary support to work with grassroots organisations on tackling violence against women and girls?
Minister reply
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced additional funding for local authorities—£109 million more than under the previous government.
Question
What measures can protect women from violent ex-partners as part of prevention efforts?
Minister reply
The Minister has campaigned with Rachel Williams on the presumption of contact, which is now being addressed. Preventing people from becoming perpetrators is key.
Question
Can the extra £19 million investment announced today be used to deliver a refuge for victims of domestic violence in Scarborough and Whitby?
Minister reply
While the Minister cannot make policy decisions, she can confirm that there is additional funding available for expanding refuge provision.
Question
Will Thursday’s announcement provide full details of the funding for programmes in the strategy and ensure full police funding next year?
Minister reply
Throughout strategy development, close collaboration with the Metropolitan Police has occurred. The violence against women and girls strategy will not determine future police funding.
Question
Will the Minister confirm that men, particularly young men, will be a focus for education to prevent violence against women and girls?
Minister reply
The Minister guarantees focusing on men as part of prevention efforts. Addressing this issue involves both victims and perpetrators.
Question
Can the Minister commit to long-term funding for Welsh organisations such as Welsh Women’s Aid?
Minister reply
The Minister cannot specify which organisations will receive funding, but she can confirm there will be long-term funding.
Question
What engagement has there been with the Scottish Government to ensure a joined-up approach for devolved services?
Minister reply
The strategy applies to England and Wales, but meetings have occurred with counterparts in Scotland to collaborate on non-devolved areas like immigration and welfare.
Question
How is the Department working with employers to inform staff about domestic abuse services during Christmas?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct answer but highlighted the importance of awareness and support.
Question
Will the Minister ensure that every part of government delivers on the ambitious target of halving violence against women and girls?
Minister reply
The strategy will involve every part of society, including Government Departments. The Prime Minister has been instrumental in ensuring cross-departmental commitment.
Question
Does the strategy ensure that all survivors can access refuges and essential services regardless of their immigration status?
Minister reply
The current case law allows migrant victims to access support regardless of their status, and funding has been increased for the migrant victims fund.
Question
Does the Minister agree that listening to victims is part of the strategy?
Minister reply
Every line in the strategy will come directly from a victim or their family, reflecting the frontline work done by caseworkers and ensuring voices are heard.
Question
How will the Government’s new strategy empower women and girls in Surrey to report violent crimes?
Minister reply
The multi-agency services offered in Woking and Surrey are impressive, but we must ensure that more women feel empowered to report crimes beyond just criminal justice outcomes.
Question
Will the Minister commit to working with him to include sexual crime in the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill?
Minister reply
I am more than happy to listen to representations regarding including sexual crime in the Bill.
Question
Will the strategy protect women and children through the family courts and CMS beyond ending the presumption of contact?
Minister reply
The strategy will go beyond ending the presumption of contact to ensure that our family courts are fit for purpose, keeping children and non-abusive parents safe.
Question
Will the Minister reassure constituents that her strategy will improve reporting rates and sentencing?
Minister reply
The strategy seeks to improve the situation for all concerned, with no one area being worse off than others.
Question
Will accommodation be included in the strategy to address temporary housing inadequacy?
Minister reply
Safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse is part of the strategy, and funding will be increased to local councils for better access to housing.
Question
What assurances can the Minister give women and girls in Northern Ireland that they can take advantage of the new strategy?
Minister reply
The safety and security of women in every UK nation, including Northern Ireland, is a personal interest. The Home Office will continue to work to ensure cross-departmental commitment.
Government Response
I can confirm that the strategy will be published on Thursday, 18 December. The Government is treating violence against women and girls as a national emergency and has made an unprecedented commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. Since the general election, we have taken urgent steps such as introducing new protections for stalking victims, launching domestic abuse protection orders, increasing refuge funding, placing domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms, ending the presumption of contact, expanding support for child trafficking victims, and other measures. Despite delays, the strategy will provide a complete reset to deliver real and lasting change.