Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they last conducted major research into female genital mutilation prevalence across the United Kingdom and what plans they have, if any, to conduct a new study.

The Government is tackling female genital mutilation (FGM) through its landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

To prevent and respond effectively to FGM it is essential that we understand the prevalence of these crimes.

In 2023, the Home Office commissioned the University of Birmingham to conduct a feasibility study to examine whether it is possible to produce robust prevalence estimates for FGM and forced marriage. The study has now concluded, and we are currently working on our next steps which we will set out in due course.

While not markers of prevalence, the Government monitors other indicators of FGM to inform our understanding. These indicators include police recorded crime, contacts to the joint Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and Home Office Forced Marriage Unit, data from the National Health Service in England, and the courts.