Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has said she has received no reply from Highland Council after seeking urgent talks over funding for domestic abuse services.
Mrs Grant has been leading cross party efforts to secure clarity and long term support for local Women’s Aid groups across the Highlands.
On 20th of January she wrote on behalf of a group of MSPs and election candidates requesting an urgent meeting with the Council leadership.
She raised the issue again at First Minister’s Questions on 5th of February and has now tabled a further parliamentary question this week in an attempt to move the matter forward.
Last month Mrs Grant convened a cross party meeting with other Highland MSPs and local election candidates to highlight concerns about the financial pressures facing Women’s Aid services and the impact on the specialist support they provide.
At Highland Council’s Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee meeting on 4th of February 2026, councillors agreed to revisit funding for refuges in August but gave no firm assurance over the future of MARAC funding.
The First Minister said the Scottish Government remained committed to preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls and confirmed he would ask the relevant minister to write to the Leader of Highland Council requesting engagement with cross party MSPs.
Mrs Grant says no response has yet been received from the Council leadership.
Rhoda Grant said:
“MSPs from across the Highlands have joined forces to try to get clarity and sufficient funding allocated to allow Women’s Aid to continue to provide the level of services they provide at present.
“We asked for an urgent meeting with the Leaders of Highland Council. Instead what we have got is nothing.
“No reply, no assurance that these services will be protected.
“I know Councils throughout the region are grappling with the reduced funding they are being provided with from the Scottish Government but the women who are fleeing domestic abuse with their children should not bear the brunt of this.
“They must be properly supported during one of the most harrowing times of their lives and they should know they will be supported by Women’s Aid when they take the very brave decision to leave their abuser.
“In tabling this further question we are trying again to force an answer from the leadership of Highland Council who have a duty to protect these women and children.”
The dispute highlights growing concern about the future of refuge and support services at a time when demand remains high across rural communities.
