Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Elmore Excerpts

Wednesday 6th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)]

What steps the Government have taken to help protect people living with abusive partners during the covid-19 lockdown.

[Chris Elmore (Ogmore) (Lab)]

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of the covid-19 lockdown on domestic abuse victims.

[Marco Longhi (Dudley North) (Con)]

What steps the Government have taken to help protect people living with abusive partners during the covid-19 lockdown.

--- Later in debate ---

[Victoria Atkins [V]]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this question. The Domestic Abuse Bill, which had its Second Reading last week, requires the domestic abuse commissioner to consider the impact of domestic abuse on children in her work. In addition, the Bill includes a new statutory duty on tier 1 local authorities in England to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children within safe accommodation. Last week, I announced £3.1 million in funding for specialist support for children affected by domestic abuse.

[Chris Elmore [V]]

I would like to press the Minister on what she is doing specifically in relation to older people who are victims of domestic abuse. Age UK has recently reported that, in 2019, more than 280,000 people aged between 60 and 74 experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales. Given Government advice both in Wales and across the UK on lockdown, it would be helpful to know what specific support she is providing for older people who are victims?

[Victoria Atkins [V]]

I thank the hon. Member for his question. As I say, the gov.uk website sets out the services that are available to victims of domestic abuse in these very troubling times, and of course helplines may be of particular use to older people who are not perhaps as familiar with online services as younger generations. In addition, we have announced £76 million in funding to help vulnerable people, with the Chancellor’s £750 million charities fund, and that includes victims of domestic abuse. Of course, the Bill itself will help to—