Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 31 Jan 2025 Closed: 27 Apr 2026 Parliament page
The Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) will hold a session in Parliament on Wednesday, 5 March to look at the prevalence and impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the UK and to examine the work of the UK Government to prevent FGM and to address the health consequences of survivors of FGM.
18 Recommendations
15 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
7 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 11 events
18 Dec
2025
Correspondence
2 Dec
2025
Report published
2 Dec
2025
Correspondence
17 Oct
2025
Correspondence
12 Sep
2025
Report published
25 Mar
2025
Correspondence
19 Mar
2025
Correspondence
19 Mar
2025
Correspondence
19 Mar
2025
Correspondence
5 Mar
2025
Oral evidence
5 Mar
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
5 Mar 2025
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Women and Equalities Committee
Aissa Edon · FGM Hope Clinic Angela Craggs · National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Gillian Squires Retd. Det. Con (W Midlands Police) · Honour Me Ltd Grainne Boyle · NSPCC Janet Fyle MBE · Royal College of Midwives Juliet Albert · Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Professor Hassan Shehata · Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Valerie Lolomari · Women of Grace UK
Title HC No. Published Items Response
7th Report - Female genital mutilation HC 714 12 Sep 2025 33 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
2 results
Clear
17 Recommendation Deferred
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
FGM persists within UK and through travel abroad, undermined by inconsistent government funding.
It is a matter of serious concern that evidence given to us and available data indicate both that FGM is taking place in the UK and that UK citizens or residents are being taken abroad to undergo FGM. The Government … Read more
Government Response
The government defers committing to the allocation of sufficient resources beyond March 2026, stating it is unable to comment on future spending. It refers to an FGM-focused campaign and ongoing funding for national helplines as part of its efforts to tackle FGM.
Government Equalities Office
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19 Recommendation Deferred
7th Report - Female genital mutila…
Restore Home Office funding to £2 million annually for FGM prevention initiatives and support services.
Given the ongoing risk of FGM in the UK, we recommend the Home Office restore funding to previous levels—we recommend an annual spend of at least £2 million—and commit to sustained funding for initiatives aimed at preventing and tackling FGM. … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is unable to comment on spending beyond March 2026, thus deferring a commitment to sustained funding. It mentions an FGM-focused campaign and funding for other helplines, but does not commit to restoring funding to previous levels (at least £2 million annually) or reinstating funding for the NSPCC FGM helpline.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 18 classified
Accepted 22
Accepted in Part 4
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 1
Total 18 recs + 15 conclusions
Correspondence 7 letters
18 Dec 2025 Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development and Africa regarding Aid spending on ending FGM, dated December 2025
Parliament page
2 Dec 2025 Correspondence to Minister of State (Intl Development and Africa) Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, re Aid spending on ending FGM, dated 28.11.2025
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17 Oct 2025 To committee Corres. with Chief Scientific Advisor, DHSC & Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. Response from Baroness Merron, re Reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors, dated 8.10.2025
Parliament page
25 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, re Female genital mutilation, dated 20 March 2025
Parliament page
19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Minister of State for Development, FCDO, re Female genital mutilation, dated 5 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and VAWG, re FGM, dated 5 March 2025
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19 Mar 2025 Correspondence from Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, re FGM, dated 10 March 2025
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