Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing financial protection to victims of (a) financially coercive and (b) other controlling behaviour.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
This Government was elected with a landmark mission to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the next decade. We will use every tool within our power to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse and violence, including domestic abuse.
The financial difficulties which cohabitants, including victims of abuse, can face when their cohabiting relationships come to an end, is a matter of concern. That is why the Government committed in its 2024 manifesto to strengthen the rights and protections available to women in cohabiting couples. The Government will set out the next steps in due course.
In relation to divorcing couples, the Law Commission’s December 2024 scoping report on financial remedies considered how conduct, such as domestic abuse, including economic abuse, is considered by the courts when making decisions about a couple’s finances on divorce. The Government will carefully consider the findings of this report.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what data her Department holds on the number of parents who (a) applied for a Reciprocal Enforcement Maintenance Order in the last 12 months and (b) are awaiting the outcome of an application for such an order.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
The information provided relates to England and Wales. The most recent published figure for applications received by the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Unit on behalf of the Lord Chancellor is for the calendar year 2023 and is shown in the attached table 6.1. The figure for REMO applications in 2024 will be published in June 2025. Data on those awaiting the outcome of an application is not held centrally.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans she has for the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund beyond March 2025; and whether she has had recent discussions with the Minister for Women and Equalities on that fund.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
This Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of rape and sexual abuse have the information and support they need. On 1 October 2024, I wrote to recipients of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund to confirm that HM Treasury have announced departmental budgets for financial year 2025/26 will be set out through a Budget on 30 October 2024. I understand the need to prioritise confirmation of their budgets as early as possible. My office is in the process of arranging a meeting with the Minister for Women and Equalities and I look forward to meeting with her in due course.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to reform jury service expenses.
Answered by Heidi Alexander - Secretary of State for Transport
Juries are a vital part of our criminal justice system and undertake an important civic duty. The Government will keep under review the support provided to jurors throughout their service.