A government strategy to stop violence against women set up in the wake of the killings of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa has failed, a watchdog has ruled. Despite spending millions, the victims of violence against women and girls (VAWG) have not had improved outcomes with an “epidemic” of violence spiralling out of control.

The Home Office's response to the "serious and growing problem" of violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been ineffective, the UK's spending watchdog has said.

It comes after the National Audit Office warned the Home Office had ‘historically underspent’ funding allocated to tackle the issue.

One in 12 women can expect to experience some form of gender-based violence each year, the National Audit Office says.