Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether women are able to take refuge under domestic violence legislation if they continue to cohabit with their partner after the expiry of their initial leave to remain.

Destitute non-EEA nationals who have leave, or had leave, to enter or remain as a partner of a British citizen or person settled here and who claim to be victims of domestic abuse may apply under the provisions of the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession to access public funds, which may include access to refuges and multi agency support. This applies equally to those who are cohabiting with their partner and have valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom and those whose period of limited leave to enter or remain has expired.