Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if the Government will place a duty on local authorities to (a) ensure that sufficient places of safety are available for victims of domestic violence and (b) encourage local authorities to have in place reciprocal arrangements so that the issue of victim safety is paramount.

We are determined to ensure that victims get the help they need, when they need it.

Our Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy is clear that refuges and other forms of specialist accommodation based services play a vital role in supporting victims of domestic abuse to move from danger to safety and independence.

We have provided £20 million funding to 76 projects in England, creating more than 2,200 bed spaces and giving support to over 19,000 victims. This is in addition to the £13.5 million awarded in 2014/15 and 2015/16 to strengthen refuge and other safe accommodation provision.

Local areas are best placed to understand local needs and the Government has devolved power and responsibility for meeting those needs accordingly, including to devolved administrations. However, we expect local areas to provide services that are responsive to the needs of victims fleeing from domestic abuse and make decisions on the provision of safe accommodation and support to fit the identified needs for all domestic abuse victims, both those from within and those who flee across local area boundaries. Our Priorities for Domestic Abuse Services reinforce the expectation that local areas should plan to support victims of domestic abuse who have moved to another area to stay safe.

We are clear in the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy that we will review this approach after two years. If we are not reassured that women are receiving the support they need, then we will consider if moving to a national model of provision will improve these services for victims.