Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with officials regarding future payments of housing benefit to women's refuges.

My predecessor, Marcus Jones MP, held discussions with officials in his own department (Communities and Local Government) and with officials at the Department for Work and Pensions. He also held meetings with providers of refuge accommodation.

Under the short-term supported accommodation model, an individual’s entitlement to Housing Benefit remains unchanged, rather we are removing their liability to pay rent at a vulnerable point in their lives.

We are undertaking a review of how domestic abuse services, are provided across England. The review will cover funding for refuges, including critical care and support costs, and will be completed by summer 2018.

I look forward to continuing this engagement and to working with the sector.