Committee publication · Correspondence · 25 June 2026
Correspondence from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, on Residential Women’s Centres
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
Lord Timpson updates the Welsh Affairs Committee on Residential Women's Centres (RWCs), confirming that funding for the planned Swansea RWC has been withdrawn due to Spending Review pressures, though the department continues to assess options for the site. The Government remains committed to community alternatives to custody and is providing £10 million additional funding to women's voluntary organisations over the Spending Review period.
Key findings
- Funding for the Swansea RWC was withdrawn in 2022 following planning delays, though planning permission was secured in 2023; the Government is now considering alternative delivery models or contingency arrangements for the site.
- The Government is unable to fund RWC proposals due to competing pressures across courts, prisons, and probation services, but recognises the value of community-based provision in supporting women offenders.
- An additional £10 million over the Spending Review period (total £31.6 million) will fund women's community and voluntary organisations, with bids invited to deliver residential alternatives to custody.
- The Government continues to support existing services including Willowdene, Trevi House, Hope Street, and One Small Thing, which demonstrate trauma-informed, women-centre-led models as credible alternatives to custody.
- Swansea has been identified as the first Intensive Supervision Court for women in Wales, which the Minister expects to align with devolved services to improve outcomes.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
criminal-justicewomen-offenderscommunity-alternativeswalespublic-finance
Key actors
Lord Timpson, Ruth Jones MP, Sir Brian Leveson, Women's Justice Board, Willowdene, Trevi House, One Small Thing, Hope Street
Notable line
“I am clear on the value of community-based provision in supporting women to address the underlying causes of their offending …”
Key Quotes
“I am clear on the value of community-based provision in supporting women to address the underlying causes of their offending, and in offering credible alternatives to custody where appropriate.”
“Within this context, it has not been possible to fund RWC proposals. However, we continue to assess the implications for the Swansea site and are considering possible options for its future, including alternative delivery models or contingency arrangements for the site.”
“In March this year we announced a significant uplift in grant funding to women's community and voluntary organisations and will provide an additional £10 million over the Spending Review Period, bringing total funding over this period to £31.6 million.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗