To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of making it a purpose of the benefit system to (a) protect and (b) support women and children who need to leave their homes to stay safe.
Answered on
25 May 2021
The benefit system acts as a safety net for people who find themselves in need of financial support with living and housing costs for a variety of reasons.
A range of Universal Credit measures are designed to support victims of domestic abuse, including special provisions for temporary accommodation, easements from work-related requirements and signposting to expert third-party services.
DWP also has a number of employment schemes that claimants, including victims of abuse, can access. The Work and Health Programme gives voluntary priority early access to victims of abuse. This programme supports people to enter and stay in work, and involves referrals to public, private and voluntary providers.
Government departments are working together to look at the overall support we provide for victims and to ensure that it effectively fulfils their needs, so that victims can rebuild their lives.
Alongside the landmark Domestic Abuse Act, the Government is providing £35 million to combat domestic abuse. This is on top of the £2 million we have already made available since the Covid-19 crisis, to support domestic abuse charities and raise awareness of the support available. We are also providing £3 million that will go to specialist services for children who have both been directly and indirectly affected by domestic abuse.