Women's Aid Refuges

HC Deb 15 June 1998 vol 314 c111W

Ms Moran

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the future funding of women's aid refuges. [42763]

Ms Ruddock

To enable the Government to obtain an accurate picture of current provision, including funding arrangements, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Security and the Women's Unit are commissioning a package of research into the accommodation and support services provided to victims of domestic violence.

We are already looking at funding of supported housing with other responsible Departments. This review is charged with finding sustainable, long term arrangements for support services to vulnerable people including deciding the future role of Housing Benefit. We will be looking at refuge funding as part of this work.