Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is seeking an urgent meeting with Highland Council over uncertainty surrounding funding and contracts for domestic abuse services across the Highlands.
The MSP says a lack of clarity over budgets and service provision for 2026/27 is causing serious concern for Women’s Aid groups and the people who rely on them for support.
Grant, who has a background in supporting domestic abuse services, has met with all four Women’s Aid groups operating in the Highlands in recent weeks to hear first hand about their concerns.
She has also submitted Freedom of Information requests to Highland Council in an effort to establish what plans are in place for future funding and how contracts for service delivery will be awarded.
The MSP is seeking clear answers on the funding and contractual arrangements for outreach and rural services, refuge provision, and MARAC funding.
Women’s Aid groups are due to hold individual meetings with Highland Council early in the new year, but Grant says the current lack of information is already having an impact.
She has warned that without clarity soon, some services may be forced to scale back their work.
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.
“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.”
Women’s Aid services provide specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, including safe refuge accommodation, outreach work in rural areas, and coordinated responses through MARAC arrangements.
In a region as large and geographically dispersed as the Highlands, outreach and rural provision is seen as particularly critical to ensuring people can access help.
Grant says the lack of confirmed funding beyond the current year risks destabilising services that are already under pressure.
She is calling on Highland Council to provide clear, timely information on funding levels, contract structures, and expectations for service delivery.
The MSP believes this is essential to allow Women’s Aid groups to retain staff, plan services, and continue supporting people at risk.
Grant has asked for a meeting with council officials to discuss the issue directly and says she will continue to press for transparency.
She has also urged Highland Council to recognise the importance of stability and long term planning for domestic abuse services.
The MSP says ensuring properly funded and secure services is not optional, but a core responsibility.
As discussions with the council continue into the new year, Women’s Aid groups and those who depend on them remain waiting for reassurance about the future.
