Our Streets Now Responds to Budget 2024
Our Streets Now is disappointed that Labour's pledge of safer streets was not ‘promised and delivered’ in HM Government’s budget which was published on 30th October 2024, as funding for violence against women and girls was omitted from the budget. During the 2024 general election Labour pledged to half Violence Against Women and Girls within a decade. The budget outlined by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves does not mention VAWG at all, despite it being 20% of all police recorded crime (NPCC 2024).
In the lead up to the general election Labour outlined 5 missions. This budget only outlines a financial plan for 4 of these: GB Energy, Economic Growth, Support for the NHS and Opportunity. Despite one woman being killed every 3 days (ONS 2024) and one in 12 women in England and Wales having experienced stalking, harassment, sexual assault or domestic violence (NPCC 2024), this budget does not outline any financial plan to reducing or ending violence against women and girls.
The budget does mention the government's commitment to £75 million over three years to expand the current violence reduction units which integrate public services. But with the Angiolini Inquiry outlining how the police have abused their power, Our Streets Now poses the question: how will this government build trust in services if there is no financial plan for prevention beyond expanding police power?
‘’After the National Police Chief’s Council declared violence against women and girls ‘a national emergency’ in July 2024 and Labour pledging safer streets during their election campaign it’s disappointing to see that the government couldn’t put their money where their mouth is. If the government is serious about ending violence against women and girls it must urgently provide long-term, sustainable funding for specialist VAWG support services, particularly those led by and for Black, minoritised, Trans+ and LGBTQI+ survivors.’’ - Charli Keely, Head of Campaigns, Our Streets Now
References:
Call to action as VAWG epidemic deepens | NPCC
Homicide in England and Wales | Office for National Statistics
