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

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, how many and what proportion of local housing teams apply local connection tests to domestic violence victims fleeing to another geographic area.

The Government is committed to addressing the needs of victims of domestic abuse, as set out in the Domestic Abuse Plan. We understand domestic abuse and security of tenure are issues that often co-exist, and our reforms take steps to support victims. As set out in the “A Fairer Private Rented Sector” White paper, the Government is committed to abolishing Section 21, so called 'no fault' evictions, which will make tenants significantly more secure in their homes, while periodic tenancies will ensure that tenants who are experiencing domestic abuse are not financially 'locked in' to a dangerous situation, as they will be able to end their tenancy at any point. We have also published guidance making clear that the Secretary of State strongly encourages local authorities to disapply the local connection test for victims of domestic abuse.

The information requested on local connection tests is not held centrally.