Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the possible closure of the Eve Refuge in Northamptonshire due to funding cuts, and what steps they are taking to provide replacement support for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse and who are supported by that refuge.

Domestic Abuse is a devastating crime that shatters lives. That is why we are committed to ensuring that no victim is turned away from the support they need. To support this ambition, we have committed long term fund of £40 million over the next four years which will offer support to victims of domestic abuse. This increased funding, which triples our funding in the last spending period, complements Government's wider approach and support for violence against women and children's services, which will be set out in the forthcoming refresh of the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

It is for local areas to fully assess their local needs for domestic abuse services and to make decisions on the provision of safe accommodation and support for victims of domestic abuse. There is a range of accommodation and support available to victims of domestic abuse. Some will be accommodated in refuges, but dispersed housing or sanctuary schemes with support may be a preferred option for others. Some victims will pursue independent solutions with the appropriate support. We would urge all areas to recognise the importance of ensuring that victims have a safe place to go in a crisis.