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Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Monday, 18 December 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 January 2018. It was answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 January 2018 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Refuges: Domestic Abuse

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that safe accommodation is available throughout the UK for women and children escaping domestic violence; and what steps they are taking to prevent the closure of existing refuges.

Answer

This is a devolved matter in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Government is absolutely committed to protecting victims of domestic abuse.

In England, we have invested £33.5 million since 2014 in safe accommodation-based services that support victims of domestic abuse. 80 projects across the country are receiving part of our 2016/18 £20 million fund for safe accommodation and local service reform, which will create more than 2,200 bed spaces and support over 19,000 victims.

We set out our expectations of local areas in supporting victims of domestic abuse in our Priorities for Domestic Abuse services, published in November 2016. We are also undertaking a review of funding for refuge in England, including the critical care and support costs, and will conclude by Summer 2018. To inform our review, we have launched a tender for an audit of local authority commissioning of domestic abuse services, including refuge.

We are exploring all options for future delivery of domestic abuse services in England, including a national model for refuges. We are committed to working closely with sector partners, drawing on their expertise and knowledge, as we undertake our review.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL4272
Session
2017-19
Related items
Refuges: Domestic Abuse
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Children Women Domestic abuse Refuges
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk