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Housing and Regeneration Bill

moved Amendment No. 115B: 115B: After Clause 313, insert the following new Clause— ““Priority need for accommodation in cases of domestic violence In section 189 of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) (priority need for accommodation), after subsection (1)(d) insert— ““(e) a person without dependent children who has been subject to domestic violence, is at risk of such violence or, if he or she were to return home, would be at risk of domestic violence.”””” The noble Baroness said: An amendment of a similar form to Amendment No. 115B was moved in the Commons. I have tabled it again in the hope of some up-to-date news from the Government on the issue. The amendment would enable a person—often a woman, but not necessarily—who is experiencing domestic violence not to have to choose between staying in a violent relationship on the one hand or homelessness—or even, at worst, rooflessness—on the other, by giving priority need to a person who has been subject to domestic violence, or is at risk of it, but who does not have dependent children. Perhaps I should declare an interest—not a current interest, but one that is very much in my heart. For many years I was a member of the board of Refuge, the domestic violence agency, and chaired it for some time. The current law provides for a person who is vulnerable as a result of ceasing to occupy accommodation by reason of violence. The definition of ““vulnerability”” in this context is whether the person is less able to fend for himself than an ordinary homeless person. I have selected some words from the briefing I have been sent, without intending to distort the meaning. It is almost impossible at the moment to ensure consistency in decision-making, whether between different kinds of cases or different authorities. The concept of vulnerability, although it is intended to be applied as an absolute test, tends to be applied, I understand, in a way that is resource-driven; it is regarded as a matter of degree. Domestic violence is often hidden. The victim may not have spoken to anyone about it. I accept that that in itself could mean that applying provisions such as this could be difficult. Giving evidence is a difficult matter, but there has been a change in Wales; if the Welsh can do it, the English should be able to. At Third Reading in the Commons, the Minister, fulfilling the commitment in Committee that he would consider the matter, said that the Government are working on a review on the subject. I therefore hope that the Minister can today give us some news of what is going on in that connection. I do not want to take the Committee's time by describing either the extent of domestic violence or the effects on individuals, because I am sure that everyone in this Room will understand without it having to be spelt out in great detail. I beg to move.