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

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure the increase in provision of refuges in Gloucestershire.

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime and we are determined to ensure that victims, regardless of their circumstances, receive the support they need when they need it.

Refuges provide a critical bedrock of support for victims of domestic abuse and their families.

Since 2014, we have invested over £33.5 million in services to support victims of domestic abuse, including refuges.

Local authorities in Gloucestershire have benefitted from this funding during the same period. They have used the funding to provide refuges, specialist accommodation-based support, community and outreach services to ensure no victims of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need.

The funding is also being used to provide dedicated support to victims from minority communities and their families in the Gloucestershire area.