PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(3 January 2025)

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to improve national oversight of local commissioning of (a) specialist led-by and (b) domestic abuse services.

Asked by:
Abtisam Mohamed (Labour)

Local authorities have a duty to commission services under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The statutory guidance is clear that local authorities must assess the needs of all victims, including those requiring specialist support, and ensure sufficient support is available to meet identified need. Support should be delivered by knowledgeable and experienced specialist domestic abuse providers. The guidance is also clear that commissioning processes should not exclude smaller voluntary organisations, such as those run ‘by and for’ groups with particular protected characteristics.

To further support local authorities in meeting these responsibilities, £160 million has been committed for support in safe accommodation in 2025/26, which includes a £30 million uplift to strengthen domestic abuse support services.

My department works closely with local authorities, supporting delivery of these duties, including monitoring through quarterly and annual data collections. My officials regularly liaise with organisations such as Women’s Aid, and I am establishing a new Domestic Abuse Housing Group, to be co-chaired by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, to oversee delivery. This will help ensure that services remain responsive, effective, and aligned with the needs of domestic abuse victims.

Answered by:
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