Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Domestic Abuse

Monday 16 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Christine Jardine asked about funding for local authorities to support the Domestic Abuse Bill, highlighting the need for community-based services.
  • The Minister responded that a 6 million fund was announced to help councils prepare for their new duty under the Domestic Abuse Bill.
  • Naseem Shah raised concerns about refuges turning away victims due to under-resourcing, prompting the Minister to mention an 10 million emergency fund to reopen beds and create additional spaces.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Women & Equalities Local Government
Context

The Domestic Abuse Bill requires local authorities to provide support in safe accommodation, raising concerns about adequate funding. The bill's provisions aim to ensure victims receive necessary assistance.

Question

What discussions have been had with Cabinet colleagues on funding for local authorities to ensure they can provide the required support under the Domestic Abuse Bill? With a rise in domestic abuse cases, survivors often need community-based services and not just refuge accommodation.

Answer from Kelly Tolhurst

My Department has engaged extensively in taking forward the new duty on local authorities, which will be appropriately funded post-spending review. A £6 million fund was announced last month to aid councils in preparing for this duty. The new duty covers a wide range of accommodation services and not just refuges.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific amount of funding for community-based support was not confirmed, only that it would be part of the spending review process.

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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS Local Government
Context

The Domestic Abuse Bill mandates local authorities to provide support, but the majority of survivors need assistance outside refuges. This raises concerns about adequate funding and duty requirements.

Question

Does the Minister agree that local authorities must have a duty to provide community-based services and support for victims experiencing domestic abuse, alongside the duty in refuges? Will this be adequately funded?

Answer from Kelly Tolhurst

The new duty ensures support is available across various accommodation types. The Government recognises more needs to be done for adequate provision in communities and has initiated a review by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding commitments for community-based services were not provided, only that a review will inform future actions.

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Q3 Naseem Shah Lab Bradford West
Asylum & Refugees Women & Equalities
Context

Women experiencing domestic abuse are being turned away from up to five separate refuges due to a lack of specialist services, raising concerns about under-resourced funding.

Question

This morning, it was reported that women not speaking English or needing specialist services were turned away by multiple refuges despite available spaces. If the funding for these refuges is as severely under-resourced as estimated by charities like Refuge and Women's Aid, how will legislative changes help those desperate to flee abuse?

Answer from Kelly Tolhurst

A home should be a place of safety, and turning away victims is unacceptable. The Government announced an £10 million emergency fund helping to reopen 350 beds and create more than 1,500. The situation will continue to be monitored as we move through the post-covid period.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific funding amounts for specialist services were not provided; only monitoring and emergency support was mentioned.

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