Hourglass: Budget fails to deliver for specialist domestic abuse services

Responding to today’s Budget, Richard Robinson, Chief Executive of Hourglass, said:

“The Government’s ambition to halve violence against women and girls cannot be delivered while specialist domestic abuse services struggle to survive. The Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s warning that services are reducing support, cutting jobs or closing should demand an urgent response from the Treasury.

“We welcome the £15 million commitment over three years to tackle misogyny. But investment in changing attitudes must be accompanied by sustained funding for the services helping people experiencing abuse today. Older women must also be explicitly included in this work: misogyny does not stop with age, and ageism can compound the barriers to being heard and getting help.

“The Budget identifies funding for the wider VAWG strategy, but provides no clear, dedicated funding commitment for specialist domestic abuse services. Ministers must explain how much additional money will reach frontline support and ensure older victim-survivors benefit.

“Measures addressing household costs and homelessness are welcome. However, their impact will be limited if people remain trapped with an abuser because specialist support is unavailable. For older people, financial control, care needs and dependence on a family member can make finding safety particularly difficult.

“The Treasury must match the Government’s promises with long-term funding that enables specialist services to meet demand and sustain their expertise. Older victim-survivors need practical routes to safety now. They cannot wait for another Budget.”