Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his oral statement on Prison Capacity on 16 October 2023, what steps he is taking to expand the work of Women's Centres.

We remain committed to improving services for women in or at risk of contact with the criminal justice system, recognising that they are amongst the most vulnerable in society.

In 2022 we launched three grant competitions covering the women’s community sector and have awarded total funding of £15 million up to March 2025. The funding will meet the core costs of women’s community sector organisations, allow the provision of new and additional services and interventions for women, as well as encouraging more joined up local partnership working to address women’s needs. 40 organisations across England and Wales are receiving funding. Of these, four organisations have been awarded funding to support current and new residential alternative to custody provisions, allowing more women to be managed effectively in the community, and avoiding short custodial sentences.

Future spending decisions will be subject to the next Spending Review.