Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the Safeguarding Minister has cancelled an upcoming meeting with Hourglass (Safer Aging) on 14 December.

The Safeguarding Minister was due to meet Hourglass on 14 December 2022 following correspondence regarding funding for the organisation. Officials recommended any private meeting be postponed to protect the integrity of the ongoing VAWG Specialist and Support Services Fund competition.

The Home Office launched this open commercial competition for ‘by and for’ and specialist services, which could include those providing services for older victims, on 22 November 2022.

To ensure that the competition remains fair and transparent, and to avoid any possible concern about lobbying or preferential treatment should Hourglass go on to receive funding following the competition officials advised that the Safeguarding Minister should not meet privately with Hourglass . . Concerns about transparency would require investigation and could delay funding being awarded to successful applicants.

This approach will be applied to any organisation in a similar position while the competition is open. Once the competition closes (planned for 27^th Jan 2023) and successful candidates are mobilised (1^st April 2023) the meeting can be arranged to discuss Hourglass’ vital work to support older victims of abuse.