UK to Give £15m to New Fund Against Misogyny
The UK government will give £15m to a dedicated fund to tackle misogyny, meaning hostility or prejudice towards women, in workplaces, schools and public places, according to The Guardian. The announcement was made on 27 October 2026 and was reported as coming amid concerns about the "manosphere", a term for online communities centred on ideas about men and masculinity.
Bridget Phillipson, the women and equalities minister, will lead the UK-wide fund. The Guardian reported that it is the first time specific national funding has been set aside to address misogyny in the UK.
Organisations will be able to bid for money from the fund. Projects could include mentoring for young people, workplace training and awareness campaigns aimed at improving the safety of women and girls. Bidders will be encouraged to find match funding, meaning money from other backers such as corporate partners and philanthropists that is put up alongside the government's contribution.
The new fund follows a separate £20m package, announced earlier by the government, to tackle misogynistic influences in schools as part of its violence against women and girls strategy. Phillipson announced a misogyny prevention taskforce last month, ahead of the funding announcement.
The money is expected to be confirmed by the Chancellor, John Healey, in the Autumn Budget on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The budget is the government's main statement of spending and tax plans. Healey has faced pressure to bring down government borrowing costs, the interest the state pays to borrow money, ahead of the budget, according to BBC News.
