On Saturday the Government announced it would be accepting an amendment I tabled last week on ‘A Safe Home’ in the Domestic Abuse Bill to ensure people fleeing domestic abuse are prioritised for a safe, permanent home. In October the Government would not accept this amendment and this shift is very welcome and will, in time, save lives.
I spoke on this amendment in the Bill’s 2nd Reading last week:

A safe home for people fleeing domestic abuse is something I have been pushing for since my first year as MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark: 

Legislation to tackle this problem has taken much longer than it should have to come before the Commons, but I am proud to have achieved something which is vital for the people affected.

Here are some of the actions over the last year to help win this success:

My article for The Times, March 2019 calling for priority housing

Calling for housing on a permanent basis (not just for temporary) when the legal duty to provide emergency accommodation was introduced in May 2019

The launch of the official ‘A Safe Home’ campaign, May 2019

My article for The House magazine, June 2019 

Leading a Westminster debate on Domestic Abuse & Homelessness, June 2019

Securing a meeting with the Home Office Minister to discuss the issue

Raising the issue in the debate on homelessness, January 2020

Raising the issue with the Secretary of State in April 2020

Our joint article on the day of the Bill’s 2nd Reading last week