The London mayor has so far failed to come up with the money to deliver on his promise of three new rape crisis centres in London. Only £233,000 a year was included in this year’s budget towards the centres. Jenny Jones was only one of two Assembly members who supported an amendment to the budget in February which would have provided funding for all the centres.
Jenny Jones said:
"If you promise something you must jolly well get on and deliver it. There’s a lot of back-tracking going on and a lot of women need these centres and need them immediately. Women in London have been let down by the police over the Worboys case and other investigations into rape. Now the Mayor is letting them down over his promise of more support."
ENDS
Notes to editors
In the London Assembly Budget Committee held on the 16th of December, the Mayor stated that whilst he still intended to deliver four rape crisis centres in London, only £233,000 has been budgeted for this project in 2009/10, with the aim of encouraging boroughs and other partners to fund a further £233,000. At least £744,000 annually is needed to fund the Mayor’s commitment.