Oral Answers to Questions

Marion Fellows Excerpts

Tuesday 21st November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Kirsten Oswald (East Renfrewshire) (SNP)]

4. Whether he plans to take legislative steps to help end violence against women and girls.

[Marion Fellows (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)]

8. Whether he plans to take legislative steps to help end violence against women and girls.

[Andrew Western (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab)]

19. What reforms he is making to the criminal justice system to tackle violence against women and girls.

--- Later in debate ---

[Laura Farris]

Sorry; I will come back to the hon. Lady on that.

[Marion Fellows]

I welcome the Minister to her place. Her former colleague, the Home Secretary, thought homelessness was a lifestyle choice, yet in reality, almost a quarter of homelessness among women and children is due to a violent or abusive relationship. The Scottish Government are piloting £1,000 grants to assist women who have left violent relationships, to help pay for essentials including rent and clothing. Has she considered that approach, instead of taking tents off the homeless?

[Laura Farris]

We placed the safety of domestic abuse victims at the heart of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Local authorities have been given £25 million to ensure that all domestic abuse victims receive priority for housing. In addition, the Act places a legal duty on tier 1 local authorities to provide a wide range of support, including refuges. To date, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has allocated £377 million for local authorities to comply with the duty to provide housing.