To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contribution (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Department for Work and Pensions has made towards his Department’s consultation on Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls. (278672)

The consultation document “Together We can End Violence Against Women and Girls” was considered and cleared by the Domestic Affairs Committee which includes representation from both Her Majesty’s Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate funding for specialist voluntary sector organisations dealing with violence against women. (278805)

In general, funding decisions for local services are determined by local commissioners based on local areas identifying needs. These are then included in their priorities for improvement with outcomes specifying how the issues will be addressed and how they contribute to wider national aims. Addressing domestic and sexual violence will be a key priority in helping local partnerships to deliver fully on the public service agreement requirements.

The consultation “Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls” closed on 29 May 2009. A key theme for consultation was the promotion of better consistency and quality of provision of services for victims of violence against women and girls. This work will be taken forward during development of a cross-Government strategy.

Among other initiatives, the Home Office provides £3.5 million to regional Government offices who then allocate it locally to domestic and sexual violence services.