Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that businesses have a robust policy to safeguard (a) victims and (b) survivors of domestic abuse in the workplace.

On 9 June 2020, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched a review into support for victims of domestic abuse in the workplace. The review aims to ensure victims of domestic abuse are given the support they deserve within the workplace, whether that is an outlet for reporting abuse, financial assistance or as a source of emotional support. The review will also look specifically at employer policies and best practice when it comes to practically supporting victims. The review features a call for written evidence which is open until 9 September, and the Government will respond by the end of 2020.

The Government also continues to support the important work of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse to mobilise employers to work together and improve the support available to employees affected by domestic abuse.

More widely, the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill, which is going through Parliament, will provide significant and important changes in the law to ensure that victims of domestic abuse get the support they need.