The Prime Minister faces a significant challenge in achieving the stated goal of halving violence against women and girls without a substantial investment in support services, according to a joint letter from two prominent government officials. Dame Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, and Baroness Newlove, the Victims Commissioner for England and Wales, have warned that current funding cuts and rising operational costs are jeopardizing essential victim support services.
The letter marks the first time these commissioners have taken the unusual step of addressing their concerns directly to Sir Keir Starmer, highlighting the urgency of the situation as the Chancellor prepares for a spending review shortly. This review is anticipated to impose cuts in various segments of public spending, which could further exacerbate the challenges faced by victims of domestic abuse.
In a related concern, senior police officials have also expressed their apprehensions to Starmer regarding expected budget cuts, which they warn could force them to make “stark choices” about which crimes to prioritize for investigation. The impact of funding reductions on law enforcement could hinder not only immediate response capabilities but also the broader efforts to combat rising crime rates.
The Home Office, responsible for managing both victim support services and police funding, remains engaged in negotiations with the Treasury over budget allocations as the spending review approaches. The commissioners have indicated that this budget decision will play a crucial role in shaping the government’s legacy for addressing victimization and providing necessary support for survivors.
While acknowledging the Prime Minister’s personal commitment to tackling violence against women and girls over the next decade, both Jacobs and Newlove cautioned that the current trajectory of diminishing funding and reduced initiatives has led to fragmented and ineffective policies. They emphasized that “bold and ambitious investment” is essential for tackling the systemic issues related to violence and abuse, reiterating that the “cost of inaction is one this country can no longer afford.”
Additionally, Metropolitan Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley has voiced similar concerns, warning that without additional funding, policing levels may revert to those seen during prior austerity measures. Rowley’s comments echo the sentiments of other police chiefs, including Gavin Stephens, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Graeme Biggar, head of the National Crime Agency (NCA), who jointly addressed the Prime Minister regarding the serious repercussions of funding shortfalls.
They highlighted that the funding for policing has not kept pace with rising demand, which has led to limited flexibility in operational responses. Their letter referenced how previous austerity policies contributed to a substantial reduction in police personnel—from 45,000 officers between 2010 and 2016—while simultaneously, violent offenses saw a dramatic increase of 24% within the same period as per Office for National Statistics data.
The police leaders indicated that the current allocation discussions with the Treasury were not progressing favorably, raising concerns about maintaining adequate policing in the face of growing demands and inflationary pressures. They warned, “A settlement that fails to address our inflation and pay pressures flat would entail stark choices about which crimes we no longer prioritize,” while also cautioning that continued cuts could lead to a gradual shrinkage of the policing workforce.
Last week, it was revealed that law enforcement officials, including MI5, had flagged the government’s early release scheme as a potential risk to public safety. Rowley was noted among multiple police chiefs who publicly stated that the government’s commitments regarding crime reduction are at significant risk without enhanced financial support from the Treasury.
