Overview
- Phillips argued that decades of voluntary women’s work have dissuaded the government from funding essential support services itself.
- She insisted that safeguarding against gender-based violence must be “business as usual” across every government department rather than a Home Office-only remit.
- The minister recalled how grassroots volunteers in the 1960s–1980s set up refuges and counselling services that remain underfunded by the state.
- Phillips said ministers and civil servants resisted her proposals, claiming healthy relationship education and mental health support fall under Home Office duties.
- She warned that dismantling the expectation of free women’s labour will be a lengthy and challenging endeavour.