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Committee publication · Correspondence · 25 March 2026

Correspondence from the Ministry of Justice relating to women in the criminal justice system, dated 16 March 2026

From: Women and Equalities Committee

Summary

Lord Timpson updates the Women and Equalities Committee on government action following the Women's Justice Board report (16 March 2026). The Ministry announces £10 million additional funding over the Spending Review period (total £31.6 million) for women's community and voluntary organisations to divert women from custody and improve support. The Women's Justice Board will be replaced by a new Women's Justice Advisory Group to oversee implementation.

Key findings

  • Women in the criminal justice system face disproportionately complex needs including higher rates of domestic and sexual abuse, trauma, mental ill-health, substance misuse, and likelihood of being primary carers
  • Government announces additional £10 million funding over the Spending Review period for women's community and voluntary organisations, bringing total to £31.6 million
  • Women's Justice Board report published 16 March 2026 offers reflections and recommendations to reduce women in prison and ensure gender-specific support across the system
  • Women's Justice Board to be dissolved and replaced with a new Women's Justice Advisory Group to provide external insight and constructive challenge during implementation phase

Tone

Supportive

Topics

criminal-justicewomen's-rightspublic-financemental-healthsafeguarding

Key actors

Lord Timpson, Sarah Owen MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Women's Justice Board, Ministry of Justice

Notable line

“The Government will provide an additional £10 million in funding over the Spending Review period, bringing total funding over this period to £31.6 million.”

Key Quotes

“Women represent a small minority of those in custody and on community sentences, but face disproportionately complex needs, including higher rates of domestic and sexual abuse, trauma, mental ill ‑ health, substance misuse, and a greater likelihood of being primary carers.”
— Lord Timpson · outlining why gender-specific support is essential
“The Government will provide an additional £10 million in funding over the Spending Review period, bringing total funding over this period to £31.6 million.”
— Lord Timpson · announcing funding commitment for women's services
“As we shift from strategy to delivery , the Women's Justice Board will now come to an end, and a new Women's Justice Advisory Group will be established.”
— Lord Timpson · explaining structural change to governance arrangements
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Source · parliament.uk record ↗