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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if the Government will take steps to ensure that the regulations and guidance underpinning the statutory duty in the Domestic Abuse Bill will require local authorities to fund support in safe accommodation for victims of domestic abuse that meets quality standards.

Government will make clear in statutory guidance underpinning the duty, that all support provided under the duty must be provided to victims of domestic abuse and their children, who reside in relevant accommodation which should meet the MHCLG Quality Standards, Women’s Aid National Quality Standards and / or Imkaan’s Accredited Quality Standards.

The regulations will also make clear that accommodation such as generic Bed and Breakfast accommodation is not considered relevant safe accommodation for the purposes of this duty, as it does not provide a safe place to stay for victims of domestic abuse.