Bolton West & Atherton MP Chris Green has raised refuge funding in the final session of Prime Ministers’ Question of the year.
It comes after the MP spoke about changes to supported housing funding in a Westminster Hall debate following a visit to Bolton women’s refuge Fortalice (link).
Speaking at the session on Wednesday, Chris said: “Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising the work of Fortalice, which has provided domestic abuse support in Bolton for 40 years?
“Will she consider under the current reforms the benefits of a new funding structure for domestic abuse refuges separate from the supported housing sector, so that refuges can continue to deliver their specialist support?
Prime Minister Theresa May responded: “I thank my hon. Friend for raising the question of refuges, and I am also very happy to join him in praising the work of Fortalice and services like it across the country.
“He mentions the reforms that we are putting in place. Indeed, that is because we feel that at the moment the system is not responsive to the needs of vulnerable women in local areas.
“That is why we want to put the funding in the hands of local authorities, but bring in new oversight to make sure we are delivering the right support for the right people. It is trying to ensure that we are focusing the support on those who need it and that the system is more responsive to the needs of vulnerable women.”
Refuges are currently paid for mainly from housing benefit. However, government proposals could see refuges instead funded from ring-fenced grants given to councils, but these would also have to cover a number of different housing demands.