Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the planned timescale is for the £5 million funding to be allocated through Police and Crime Commissioners to support sexual violence services during the covid-19 outbreak.

We are committed to ensuring victims and witnesses receive the support they need during this challenging time.

You will be pleased to hear that there is in fact £10 million funding available for sexual violence support services during the COVID-19 outbreak, with £5 million allocated by PCCs and £5 million through the national Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund.

The processes for allocating this funding are currently taking place and final allocation will be made through both PCCs and the national Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund this month.