Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what financial support is available for victims of domestic abuse after their abuser has been put into custody in cases where they hold joint assets with their abuser and find themselves solely responsible for mortgage payments and other expenses.

Tackling domestic abuse is a key priority for this Government and we are committed to supporting all victims of this abhorrent crime. Under our landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, economic abuse is now recognised in law as part of the statutory definition of domestic abuse - in recognition of the devasting impact in can have on victims’ lives.

In the coming months we will publish a strategy dedicated to tackling domestic abuse, which will seek to transform the whole of society’s response in order to prevent offending, support victims and pursue perpetrators, as well as to strengthen the systems in place needed to deliver these goals.

It is vital that the financial sector is also able to appropriately respond to economic abuse and provide victims with the support they need. In February 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published updated guidance for firms on the fair treatment of vulnerable customers, including specific reference to economic control and abuse when considering what can contribute to an individual’s vulnerability. Financial services should also refer to UK Finance’s updated Financial Abuse Code which aims to increase awareness of economic abuse and sets out how participating banks and building societies should support customers.

In addition, we support and fund organisations that promote awareness of economic abuse, including Surviving Economic Abuse who have received £567,000 of funding between 2018-2022 to increase awareness of economic abuse and support victims.

The Government also offers “Support for Mortgage Interest” (SMI) loans to homeowners in receipt of an income-related benefit to help prevent repossession. The Mortgage Pre-Action Protocol also makes clear that repossession must always be the last resort. As such, it is vital that homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgage or are worried about meeting payments, make early contact with their lender.