Pressure forces Labour Council to abandon plans for domestic violence budget cut

Proposals left domestic violence groups facing uncertain future, say Greens 

Plans by the Labour Council to cut £50,000 from domestic and sexual violence budgets have been dropped. [1]

Greens had repeatedly called on the Labour Council to scrap the cut, raising concerns at several meetings of Full Council and council committees. Following pressure, details in budget papers released today reveal that the cuts plans have been abandoned. [2]

Greens have welcomed the u-turn but criticised the Labour Council for putting local domestic violence services in a state of uncertainty over vital funding, despite Labour pledges to support survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse.

Councillor Lizzie Deane commented:

Support for women and girls who suffer domestic and sexual violence undoubtedly saves lives. After pushing hard for this short-sighted cut to be reversed, Greens are pleased to see that funding for this vital work will no longer be cut this year. Nonetheless the uncertainty that proposals like these create for services already under pressure cannot be ignored. 

“Providers of support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence across the city have repeatedly made us aware that while demand is increasing, their funding is not – and there is not enough capacity to meet demand. The proposed cut was deeply alarming and after months of pressure from Green Councillors and candidates, this is a welcome u-turn from a Labour council who had previously spoken loudly about their commitment to domestic violence services.”
 


Recorded cases of domestic violence and sexual violence continue to increase in the city, although it is estimated that many more cases go unreported.  Data from work with The Portal, which offers a single point of contact for people experiencing domestic violence in Brighton and Hove, shows that the services received 3,502 referrals across a six-month period between October 2017 and March last year. Organisations such as RISE and the Survivors Network have reported that there is insufficient capacity to meet current and future demand. 


Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty added:

“It will come as a relief that plans to cut the violence against women and girls budget by £50,000 have been scrapped. We know that central government funding for domestic violence overall still falls far short of what is needed to provide support to survivors.  Given the rising demand for support, local women’s services will struggle to absorb further council cuts. 

“Greens repeatedly questioned this cut and the pressure we put on Labour to keep this budget builds on our on-going work on women’s equality. Greens have worked closely with organisations such as Brighton Women’s Centre on issues such as domestic violence and as part of the 100th anniversary of partial suffrage, and we need to ensure that the progress made to provide women’s services is not put at risk.”

— ENDS

Notes for Editors

[1] Policy, Resources and Growth 14th February meeting papers: General Fund Revenue Budget, Council Tax and Capital  Strategy 2019/20 p.49 

[2] Question on the VAWG budget raised at Full Council 13TH December 2018: 
http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=70362
And further:
https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2019/02/04/councillors-pledge-to-do-more-to-support-victims-of-sexual-violence-and-domestic-abuse/

[3] Neighbourhoods Communities Inclusion and Equalities Committee, p.46 

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