Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that victims of domestic violence who have no recourse to public funds are provided with accommodation when they approach their local authority.

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime and we are determined to ensure no victim of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need.

Neither the Department for Communities and Local Government nor the Home Office issue prescriptive guidance on who should be admitted to a refuge - this is a decision for the local authority and the individual service. Eligibility for means-tested social security benefits depends on a person's immigration status in the UK and is not a local decision.

In the 2015 Spending Review we dedicated £40 million of extra funding to support victims of domestic abuse. From this, we launched a £20 million fund for local authorities for accommodation-based support, specialist community and outreach services and service reform. This has funded 76 projects across England, of which 13 are providing support to victims of domestic abuse with no recourse to public funds.

In addition, individuals on spousal visas whose relationships have permanently broken down as a result of domestic abuse can apply to the UK Visas and Immigration for limited leave to remain under the Destitute Domestic Violence (DDV) concession. This allows the individual to be moved to a safe environment whilst receiving appropriate support and advice.

We have provided dedicated funding through the tampon tax to the Angelou Centre and Southall Black Sisters to pilot effective approaches to support for survivors of violence and abuse and their children with no recourse to public funds. Through the pilots, we are broadening our evidence base around the Destitute Domestic Violence concession. We will consider what further action is needed off the back of the evaluation of these projects.