Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Domestic Abuse Victims: Safe Accommodation

Monday 25 October 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Claire Coutinho asked the Minister about discussions with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Justice on increasing safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims.
  • The Minister noted that the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced new duties on local authorities to provide support and safe accommodation for all victims starting October 1.
  • Claire Coutinho highlighted the importance of safe spaces in breaking the domestic abuse cycle and mentioned an innovative local financing model in East Surrey.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from the need to provide safe spaces for victims of domestic abuse, a pressing issue requiring government intervention.

Question

What recent discussions has he had with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Justice on increasing the supply of safe accommodation for domestic abuse victims?

Answer from Eddie Hughes

My Department works with others across the Government to tackle this serious issue. I am pleased that on 1 October the new duties in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force to require local authorities to provide support for all victims who need safe accommodation. We are supporting councils with £125 million this year to help them deliver on those duties.

Answered
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Q2 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Women & Equalities
Context

In East Surrey, an innovative local financing model has been created to provide safe spaces for women victims of domestic abuse. The model involves the collaboration between Surrey County Council and Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid.

Question

One of the really important parts of breaking the domestic abuse cycle is providing safe spaces for the women who need them to go to. I welcome the millions of pounds that the Government have invested in this area, but in East Surrey we have created an innovative local financing model, with the work of Surrey County Council and Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid. Will the Minister meet us in order that we can explain how we have created this model, so that it could be recreated elsewhere?

Answer from Eddie Hughes

I am huge admirer of the work of Women's Aid across the country. During the summer, I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid to see the excellent work that it does. Of course, I would be delighted to join my hon. Friend in a visit to Reigate and Banstead Women's Aid to see the innovative work that it is doing to provide more accommodation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting request

How: Visit Instead Of Meeting

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