The report by the Women and Equalities Committee (WEC) found FGM is taking place in the UK and UK citizens or residents are being taken abroad to undergo this form of gender-based violence.

Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee and Labour MP Sarah Owen said: ‘It's of serious concern that evidence given to us and available data indicate both that FGM is taking place in the UK and that UK citizens or residents are being taken abroad to undergo FGM.

‘While this is happening, funding allocated to tackling FGM has reduced - leaving more women and girls at risk and unsupported. The Government needs to restore funding to previous levels and ensure the grassroots organisations that do vital work in supporting survivors are able to benefit.'

The report called on the Government to restore Home Office funding to previous levels to combat FGM and urged the NHS to use Women's Health Hubs, as well as other relevant points of contact such as sexual health services and sexual assault referral centres, to raise awareness among survivors of the potential consequences of FGM and the benefits of seeking medical advice.

It recommended FGM training should be made mandatory for midwives and other healthcare professionals, including how to treat survivors with appropriate sensitivity.

It called on ministers to facilitate and fund research into the effectiveness of reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors as a matter of priority, adding if evidence indicates that the surgery is effective, then the NHS should provide it.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘No woman or girl should ever have to experience female genital mutilation. Through our landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls, we are working across Government and the NHS to support victims of this deeply harmful practice and ensure those responsible face justice.

‘This includes a £13m investment in a new centre to improve the police response to violence against women and girls, a £50,000 uplift for the Karma Nirvana's National Abuse Helpline and a new study to assess the prevalence of FGM in England and Wales.'