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Women’s Safety in Rural Areas
24 March 2026
Lead MP
Anna Sabine
Frome and East Somerset
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Matthew Pennycook
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementNHSAgriculture & Rural AffairsWomen & EqualitiesMental Health
Word Count: 6168
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Anna Sabine raised concerns about women’s safety in rural areas in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Sabine urges the Government to amend the NPPF to explicitly require consideration of women's safety, update design guides, demonstrate contributions to SDGs related to VAWG, introduce gender impact assessments for large developments, and integrate MHCLG into cross-Government delivery of the VAWG strategy.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Anna Sabine is concerned about the lack of attention given to women's safety in rural areas due to poor planning policies. She cites a survey where constituents reported feeling unsafe on dark country lanes, at bus stops with no shelter or CCTV, and losing freedom over fear of harm. The issue affects physical activity, social lives, and mental health of women, especially those who are more likely to experience sexual assault and stalking in poorly lit areas.
Adam Dance
Lib Dem
Yeovil
Celebrated the work of Sergeant Roseanna Green, who runs a Walk and Talk intervention pilot in Somerset that highlights unsafe areas for women and suggests improvements such as CCTV and increased police patrols.
David Hanson
Lab
Delyn
David Hanson agrees that women's safety should be integrated with planning policies. He highlights a similar initiative in his constituency, suggesting it could be applied nationwide.
Gareth Bacon
Con
Orpington
He discussed the importance of planning in ensuring women's safety in rural areas, highlighting disparities in domestic abuse convictions and reporting rates between urban and rural locations. He pointed out that the Government's strategy on violence against women and girls mentions rural areas only once. Bacon also mentioned the Government's pledge to update national design guidance to reflect a VAWG perspective, and questioned the Minister about progress regarding this pledge as well as the Department for Transport's consultation on cycling and walking investment strategies.
Gideon Amos
Lib Dem
Taunton and Wellington
Mr Amos criticised the government's failure to address women's safety in planning, highlighting that the national planning policy framework does not mention women or girls. He mentioned a letter written by him and his hon. Friend on the matter. Mr Amos also raised concerns about centralisation of decision-making power in local councils due to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the removal of funding for neighbourhood planning support services. He brought up specific examples from his constituency where pedestrian routes are unsafe, especially for women who feel vulnerable walking along narrow country roads without pavements.
Jessica Brown-Fuller
Lib Dem
Chichester
Discussed the issue of incomplete lighting infrastructure at Minerva Heights development, leading to constituents feeling trapped and unable to move around safely.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commended the debate and agreed on the importance of safe and well-lit transport corridors in rural constituencies where large stretches of unlit roads can create a sense of vulnerability.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Noted that 59% of women who cycle have safety concerns, highlighting the need for enhanced lighting standards in rural areas after a glow ride to raise awareness.
Government Response
Matthew Pennycook
Government Response
The Minister stated that the Labour Government prioritises halving violence against women and girls within a decade. He mentioned ongoing cross-Government efforts, including work by DEFRA to understand support service disparities in rural areas. The Minister also detailed proposed policies in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) aimed at creating safe and inclusive places for all users, with specific focus on public spaces and street design. He noted calls to more explicitly address women's safety needs and acknowledged plans to update national design guidance reflecting a violence against women and girls perspective. The consultation period for both the NPPF and design and placemaking practice guidance has concluded, with final versions expected soon.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.