Skip to main content
Banner image for Cities of London & Westminster

Cities of London & Westminster

Conservative Association
Site logo

Main navigation

  • Home
  • About us
  • Local News
  • Get Involved!
  • Donate
  • Join Us
  • Virtual Events
  • Our team
  • Contact us
  • Nickie Aiken MP

Government announces funding for local authorities to support survivors of Domestic Abuse

  • Tweet
Friday, 12 February, 2021
Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse victims and their children living in both the City of London and Westminster will be able to receive more support thanks to extra Government funding.

The extra money will help victims and their children access life-saving support in safe accommodation, including advocacy, counselling, and therapy in safe locations such as refuges or specialist safe accommodation, where victims and their children can go to get away from their abusers.

In total, councils across England will receive £125 million. Locally, the City of London Corporation will receive £48,589 and Westminster City Council will receive £47,970.

Under a new duty, local authorities will be required to provide support to domestic abuse victims and their children within safe accommodation services, where needs have been identified.

It will come into force later this year with the passage of a landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, with funding announced in advance so local authorities know how much they will receive for these vital services and can begin to plan. Children will be able to access the support following an amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill secured by Nickie Aiken, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster.

This funding is part of a wider package of support for victims of rape and domestic abuse, with a £40 million funding boost for victim support services announced on 1 February 2021, building on the unprecedented £76 million pledged in May 2020 to ensure vital services including refuges, helplines and counselling remain accessible throughout the pandemic.

In January 2021, t\he Government also launched the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme, which provides victims of domestic abuse access to immediate help from the police or other support services from their local pharmacy.

The Government is determined to support vulnerable people throughout the pandemic, and is working closely with local authorities, charities and other partners to ensure they get the support they need.

Commenting, Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster Nickie Aiken said:

“Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that ruins lives. Supporting, empowering and protecting victims from harm is so important. Having sat on Domestic Abuse Bill Committee and secured an amendment to ensure children are included in definition of a victim, I know how vital it is to ensure survivors & their children can move to safe accommodation & begin to rebuild their lives.

“The funding and amendment will ensure that all victims that require safe accommodation and support services to recover and rebuild their lives will have access to it.

“In taking another big step towards helping break the cycle of domestic abuse and protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society, we are transforming our response to victims and will help them move forward with their lives.”

Also commenting, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing Eddie Hughes said:

“Domestic abuse is a heinous crime which threatens the lives of victims in their own homes where they should feel safe. So it’s right that we’re giving victims support in safe accommodation and providing councils with money to deliver essential services that will help them and their children rebuild their lives.

“This is part of a long-term strategy to provide broader support for domestic abuse victims both in safe accommodation like refuges and in their homes.”

  • Local News

You may also be interested in

Two Cities' MP Nickie Aiken speaks out on LGBT Conversion Therapy

Monday, 8 March, 2021

Earlier today, Nickie requested to speak in a Westminster Hall Debate on LGBT Conversion Therapy. Unfortunately, Nickie was not selected to take part in the debate.

Commenting on the debate Nickie said,

Show only

  • Local News

Cities of London & Westminster Conservative Association

Footer

  • About RSS
  • Accessibility
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • City of London
  • City of Westminster Wards
  • Get Involved!
  • Joining or Renewing?
  • Special Interest Groups
Site logoPromoted by James Cockram on behalf of Cities of London and Westminster Conservatives, both at 90 Ebury Street, Westminster SW1W 9QD 020 7730 8181
Copyright 2021 Cities of London & Westminster Conservative Association. All rights reserved.
Powered by Bluetree