Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Domestic abuse survivors frequently lack adequate accommodation support despite statutory local authority duties.
Conclusion
The Committee is aware of examples where domestic abuse survivors did not receive adequate support. Examples shared during our evidence session included women turning to an MP’s advice surgery for support having struggled to be rehomed despite engaging with the local authority and housing association.26 The 2021 Domestic Abuse Act introduced a new statutory duty making MHCLG responsible for ensuring all domestic abuse survivors have access to refuges or another safe form of accommodation. This duty requires local authorities to assess the need for accommodation– based support in their area and develop a strategy for providing such support. MHCLG told us that it’s understanding is that in the majority of cases survivors are supported to find safe accommodation by the local authority, funded through MHCLG. We noted that in our experience it is clear that what MHCLG described is not routinely happening and the examples we had heard were in no way unusual.27 20 Q 6 21 Q 7 22 Q 3 23 VAWG0040, VAWG0050 24 Q 7 25 VAWG0055 26 Q 25 27 Q 26 13 Funding a whole-system response
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and states it has implemented the recommendation, highlighting ongoing efforts to shape the VAWG Strategy with victim input through roundtables and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s VOICES network. It also details the expansion of the Ministry of Justice’s Private Law Pathfinder project to improve outcomes for domestic abuse survivors in family courts across ten areas by March 2026.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 2.2 Through ministerially chaired VAWG thematic roundtables with sector experts, delivery partners, academics, policing, local practitioners and government departments, and regular stakeholder meetings held by the Interpersonal Abuse Unit, the upcoming VAWG Strategy has been shaped by the views and insights of sector experts, delivery partners and victims. 2.3 The government has sought to engage with survivors through the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s (DAC) VOICES network which gives victims and survivors an opportunity to share their experiences to influence policy development. The network was consulted on numerous themes in the development of the VAWG Strategy. At the DAC’s Survivor Summit (March 2025) Ministers and senior officials heard first-hand powerful testimonies from survivors about the criminal justice system, accessing victim support services, housing, benefits, healthcare and welfare. 2.4 The Home Office created a VAWG Strategy Advisory Board, comprised of 20 core attendees, including two rotating seats for specialist organisations to bring frontline perspectives to strategy development. The Home Office regularly engages with a wide range of specialist and frontline services from across England and Wales to ensure organisations receiving grant funding are delivering value for money and informing broader policy development. 2.5 The Director-level leads in key partner departments, namely the Department for Education, Ministry of Justice and Health and Social Care, will drive accountability in delivering the new Strategy through the Safer Streets Mission. This will draw together cross-government plans spanning the whole breadth of work on VAWG prevention, victim support to transforming the justice system. The Ministry of Justice’s Private Law Pathfinder project in the family courts aims to improve the experience and outcomes for children and families, particularly those needing additional support such as domestic abuse survivors. It supports earlier identification of families’ needs and stronger multi-agency working, including with HMCTS, Cafcass, Cafcass Cymru, local authorities, police, and specialist services. The model is running in six court areas currently, including all of Wales, with plans to extend to a further four areas by end of March 26. Feedback and evaluation on delivery to date is showing positive results. 2.6 The Home Office will continue to take a survivor-informed approach, including continued engagement with services supporting survivors and working with the Ministry of Justice on supporting individuals through the criminal and family courts system.