Women’s Aid share concerns for survivors of domestic abuse and specialist support services following changes to welfare announced in the Spring Statement
Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said:
“Yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered her first Spring Statement, ahead of the upcoming multi-year spending review expected in June. Despite the Government’s manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls (VAWG) over the next decade, there was no mention of investments being made to achieve this goal, nor any to support those surviving male-violence.
Instead, a series of welfare cuts, such as plans to halve incapacity benefits under universal credit and stopping new claimants from being able to claim incapacity on top of universal credit, which we know will have a profound impact on survivors fleeing, have been announced. Given that the Department for Work and Pensions impact assessment of these changes estimates that 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, will face relative poverty, and that we know women are more likely to be unemployed or in low-aid, part-time, or precarious forms of work, Women’s Aid has no doubt that these reforms will put the lives of women and children in danger.
Last year, our Price of Safety report highlighted the substantial costs incurred in fleeing domestic abuse – which we estimate to cost £50,000 – which many survivors struggle to meet after suffering years of economic abuse and being denied access to employment, education or training by their perpetrator. The immediate price of leaving and the costs associated with rebuilding an independent, stable life creates significant challenge to fleeing and staying fled. For some women and children, the extent of the welfare safety net can be a matter of life and death.
Women’s Aid are particularly concerned about the impact of these changes on disabled and D/deaf survivors, who face considerably higher costs associated with leaving as they may require things like taxis instead of public transports and adapted housing to accommodate their needs. Other marginalised women, including those with no recourse to public funds, who already face additional barriers in accessing safety and state support, will see additional challenges being created by these reforms, trapping them in potentially life-threatening abusive situations.
For the Government to honour its commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, a whole-system approach is needed – including a strong welfare state that provides support to those who need it. With the recent National Audit Office report warning that VAWG is on the rise, it is essential that survivors are able to access state support. Changes such as cuts to universal credit will only make it more challenging to honour this commitment, and call into question how seriously the Government is treating this national emergency.
The Government must commit to providing a minimum investment of £516 million per year to life saving support services for survivors, in order to ensure that women and children are properly protected from harm and given the support they need to thrive after abuse.”
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