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.
Answered on
2 January 2018
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.