Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant, has pressed for a meeting with Highland Council to discuss the ongoing uncertainty of contracts and funding for domestic abuse services in the Highlands.
Mrs Grant, who has a background in supporting domestic abuse services, is deeply concerned about the lack of clarity on funding for 2026/27 and on the allocation of contracts for the delivery of services.
The MSP has met with all four of the Women’s Aid groups in the Highlands in recent weeks and has submitted Freedom of Information requests to Highland Council in a bid to clarify just what is going on with funding and contracts for service provision going forward.
Mrs Grant is seeking clarity on the contracts being offered and the funding for outreach and rural services, together with refuge provision and MARAC funding. The Women’s Aid groups are to have individual meetings with Highland Council early in the new year.
Rhoda Grant said “The uncertainty of all of this is causing untold worry for the Women’s Aid groups themselves but also for people who have needed the specialist support of Women’s Aid in the past and know just how vital it is to protect these services.”
She continued “As things stand, some of the Women’s Aid groups will have to look at reduction in services going forward.
“At a time when domestic abuse crime is on the increase, we must have fully supported services in place to protect women and children when they leave an abuser.
“Highland Council’s communication on all of this has been patchy and confusing and we need clarity for the support groups involved to let them properly plan for the coming year.”