The upcoming UK Budget will allocate £15 million to combat misogyny, according to plans announced by Chancellor John Healey.
This funding is designated for a "misogyny prevention fund" intended to bolster the work of a national taskforce established last month. Chaired by Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson, the taskforce aims to address daily incidents of misogyny, including sexist slurs and workplace discrimination.
Healey stated that the funds will support "practical action to tackle misogyny head-on" and expressed hope that it would encourage additional contributions from businesses and philanthropists, thereby extending its impact.
Phillipson emphasized the importance of this funding as a "critical step" towards consigning misogyny to the past. She added that "everyone, from big business to members of the public, can do their bit to stamp out misogyny and improve the lives of women and girls everywhere."
When the taskforce was launched, the government indicated it would seek to ensure that policy decisions are "shaped by those most affected by misogyny." Its initial meetings are slated to focus on young people, with subsequent discussions planned on issues within workplaces, digital spaces, and social cohesion.
Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics revealed that approximately 12.8% of females aged 16 and over in England and Wales, totaling around 3.2 million, experienced at least one form of domestic abuse, sexual victimisation, or stalking in the year leading up to March 2026. For males, the estimated figure was 8.9%, representing about 2.1 million.
Conservative MP Brenda Morris expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the funding, stating, "Labour simply aren't serious about tackling the crisis of violence against women and girls." She questioned whether the allocation of £15 million to projects addressing the "manosphere" would ultimately make women and girls feel safer.