Violence against Women and Girls Strategy

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Monday 15th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Jess Phillips]

As the hon. Member’s constituency borders mine, I am afraid that we see many of the same problems. The inadequacy of some of the temporary accommodation in Birmingham is not something I would ever defend. What he is seeing, therefore, does not surprise me. Safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse is part of the strategy, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has already said today that we will be increasing the funding to local councils so that those victims can have access to housing.

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

I thank the Minister very much for her answers. I know that she is in regular contact with the Minister back home in Northern Ireland and that there is a deep relationship between them. The Simon Community in Northern Ireland has revealed that, between October 2024 and March 2025, 609 households presented as homeless because of domestic violence and that 83% of them were women-led households. What assurances can the Minister give the women and girls in Northern Ireland that the new strategy, and perhaps funding, can be taken advantage of, because the statistics on violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland are horrendous and they must be treated as a matter of great urgency?

[Jess Phillips]

While the strategy that will be announced on Thursday is for England and Wales and is devolved, I take a very personal interest in the safety and security of women in every one of the UK nations and, of course, in Northern Ireland, where the statistics on murder and femicide are there for everyone to see. I will continue to work to ensure—in response to the point made by the hon. Member for Stockton West (Matt Vickers)—that we do more of what works and get rid of what does not. But we will have to invent and do things that people have not tried before, because around the world, not enough have cared. I will ensure that any learning is shared with our counterparts.