Domestic Abuse Bill

Lord Bates Excerpts

Report stage & Lords Hansard
Monday 8th March 2021 Lords Chamber

That concludes my remarks. I am not sure if I have reassured the noble Baroness. She had three further questions. She asked whether a DWP Minister would meet with Women’s Aid. I can certainly make that request. She asked for an update on the spare room subsidy judgment. I do not have one, but I shall see if I can get it for her. She also asked me to raise something with the Secretary of State, which I did not manage to write down. If she can remind me of that, I shall do it. Otherwise, I hope that the noble Baroness will withdraw her amendment.

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Bates) (Con)]

I have received one request to speak after the Minister and ask a short question of elucidation. I call the Lord Bishop of Manchester.

[The Lord Bishop of Manchester [V]]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response to this group of amendments, in particular to Amendments 72 and 102, to which I have added my name. I also thank her for her reassurance that local authorities will be given clear encouragement to prioritise the needs of domestic abuse victims, as the noble Lord, Lord Best, requested. Can she ensure that national statistics on the number of such cases accepted and rejected in each year will be counted and made public? Visible success for the Government’s preferred approach may serve as encouragement to those facing the unenviable decision of whether they can afford to flee their abuser’s home.

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[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Bates) (Con)]

We now come to Amendment 11. Anyone wishing to press this amendment to a Division must make it clear during the course of the debate.

Clause 12: Advisory Board

Amendment 11

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