Committee publication · Correspondence · 16 June 2026
Correspondence from Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, dated 10 June 2026: Residential Women’s Centres
From: Justice Committee
Summary
Lord Timpson responds to Andy Slaughter MP's questions about Residential Women's Centres (RWCs), the planned Swansea site, and government strategy. The government has withdrawn funding for RWC proposals due to Spending Review pressures but remains committed to community alternatives to custody. Planning permission for Swansea was secured in 2023; the government is now considering alternative uses for the site.
Key findings
- The Swansea RWC site was purchased but funding was withdrawn in 2022 following planning delays; planning permission was subsequently secured in 2023.
- The government has not funded RWC proposals in the recent Spending Review due to competing pressures across courts, prisons, and probation services.
- Government policy has shifted from purchasing/operating new RWC sites to grant funding existing women's centres, except in Wales where no residential provision existed.
- The government announced an additional £10 million in grant funding to women's community and voluntary organisations over the Spending Review period, bringing total funding to £31.6 million.
- Government continues to support trauma-informed, women's centre-led services such as Willowdene, Trevi House, Hope Street, and One Small Thing through grant funding and direct investment.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
criminal-justicewomen-offenderscommunity-alternatives-to-custodypublic-financesentencing-policy
Key actors
Lord Timpson, Andy Slaughter MP, Women's Justice Board, Sir Brian Leveson, Willowdene, Trevi House, One Small Thing, Hope Street
Notable line
“This Government is committed to reducing the number of women in custody and to strengthening community alternatives.”
Key Quotes
“A suitable site for a RWC in Swansea was identified and purchased by the department, however, following delays in the planning process, funding for the project was withdrawn in”
“Within this context, it has not been possible to fund RWC proposals.”
“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.”
“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 ↗