Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton Excerpts

Thursday 25th November 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

I am very happy to consult further on that.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton]

My Lords, how will the Government ensure the continuation of funding for existing centres given the very large reductions in both police and local authority budgets within the area where many of the services are supported?

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire]

The noble Baroness is aware that we are in difficult circumstances. We are giving every encouragement for all these local services to be continued. They are not cheap. The three SARCs operated within London cost £4 million between them. The excellent centre in Manchester costs £1 million. Most of them are partnerships between the police and local PCTs and are paid roughly 50 per cent by each.