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Written Question
Housing: Domestic Abuse
Thursday 12th March 2026

Asked by: Sonia Kumar (Labour - Dudley)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing mandatory, specialist domestic abuse training for all housing officers in England.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has not undertaken an assessment of mandating specialist domestic abuse training for all housing officers in England.

Local authorities, under their statutory duties in Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, are required to assess the need for and provide support for all victims of domestic abuse and their children while in safe accommodation. To support delivery of this duty, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government provided local authorities in England £160 million in 2025/26, a £30 million uplift from the previous year, and £499 million funding will be allocated to local authorities over the next three years.

Statutory guidance to local authorities is available (Delivery of support to victims of domestic abuse in domestic abuse safe accommodation services - GOV.UK) providing further details on how the duty should be delivered, including the expectation for local authorities to strengthen their understanding of domestic abuse locally, which may include through training.

Speech in Commons Chamber - Wed 11 Mar 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"Russia’s continued assault on Ukraine has devastated its healthcare system: hospitals are under extreme pressure and there is a critical shortage of specialist staff to treat the injured. That is why I, along with other British physiotherapists, travelled to Ukraine to train clinicians who are working under unimaginable strain. Will …..."
Sonia Kumar - View Speech

View all Sonia Kumar (Lab - Dudley) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 282 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 175 Noes - 292
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 279 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 172 Noes - 283
Division Vote (Commons)
11 Mar 2026 - Finance (No. 2) Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 286 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 174 Noes - 292
Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 10 Mar 2026
Oral Answers to Questions

"Traders like Sukibinder Singh, who owns Little Italy in Dudley, tell me how low footfall, empty shops and shoplifting are putting people off coming to the town centre. Will my hon. Friend set out what action he is taking on business rates and targeted reliefs to help bricks-and-mortar businesses to …..."
Sonia Kumar - View Speech

View all Sonia Kumar (Lab - Dudley) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Mar 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 308 Labour No votes vs 7 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 203 Noes - 311
Division Vote (Commons)
10 Mar 2026 - Courts and Tribunals Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 301 Labour Aye votes vs 10 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 304 Noes - 203
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 298 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 163
Division Vote (Commons)
9 Mar 2026 - Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill - View Vote Context
Sonia Kumar (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 293 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 173