TOWN Halls have been ordered to fund women’s refuges — in a win for The Sun.
Minister Robert Jenrick has written to every council “making abundantly clear" that government money must go to refuges to keep women and children safe.
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Town Halls have been ordered to fund women’s refuges - in a win for The Sun Credit: Alamy
Women’s Aid has been campaigning for him to intervene after cash-strapped councils started earmarking the money towards other services.
Last year, 114 people lost their lives to domestic violence.
Next week councils will receive ￡125million to help pay for their new duties under the landmark Domestic Violence Bill.
The Sun campaigned for it along with Women’s Aid.
Speaking at their conference, Mr Jenrick said: “It’s critical that we don’t lose the momentum that’s been built up over the course of the last few years as we’ve passed this legislation, and that we make the best possible use of the funding that’s available.”
He added: “I expect councils to be using that money wisely, not to be diverting it to other activities.”
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Minister Robert Jenrick has written to every council Credit: Alamy 3
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, has welcomed the directive Credit: Women's aid
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He said he hoped the cash would end the “hand to mouth life of many refuges”.”
Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, welcomed the directive.
She added: “We thank The Sun and the Domestic Abuse Commissioner.”
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