United calls to support Women’s Aid
MPs and MSPs of every major political party have united in their support forWomen’s Aid services continuing in North Lanarkshire.
Four sitting Members of Parliament and 10 Members of the Scottish Parliament – from the SNP, Labour and the Conservatives – have formally requested a meeting with North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue and the local authority’s chief executive Des Murray to discussWomen’s Aid funding across North Lanarkshire.
At a meeting in early March, it was revealed that community justice organisation Sacro had been awarded the contract ahead of the local organisations.
North Lanarkshire Council says its new £1.4 million contract with Sacro is better value for money and will better help male victims of domestic violence.
However, the move has been blasted by Scottish Women’s Aid.
In a signed letter to NLC chiefs, the politicians, includingWishaw MP Marion Fellows and Shotts representatives Neil Gray and Alex Neil, state:“We would like to request an urgent meeting with yourself to discuss ongoing financial support forWomen’s Aid services in North Lanarkshire.
“We appreciate that the Sacro contract issue is not something which can be discussed. However we do want to work with you to see if we can find a positive way through the current funding crisis which all three Women’s Aid groups are now facing.”
Speaking to theWishaw Press this week, Mrs Fellows said:“Women’s Aid provide vital support to women across North Lanarkshire.
“North Lanarkshire Council must heed the calls of women and representatives across the local authority and commit to finding a solution to allow the groups to continue their essential work.”
Outgoing Shotts MSP Alex Neil added:“North Lanarkshire Council need to come to the table and talk – there needs to be a solution found to this awful situation.We hope one that results in funding being restored in full to the threeWomen’s Aid groups.”
The funding cut affects Motherwell, Monklands and North LanarkshireWomen’s Aid – three longestablished services.
The award of the contract meant that North Lanarkshire Council’s contracted domestic abuse services withWomen’s Aid will now be delivered holistically by Sacro.
A council spokesperson said:“The letter has been received and the request is being considered. A meeting will be arranged in due course.The council already funds Women’s Aid refuge services and we look forward to discussing how this work can be built upon in future.”