The UK government has announced a major increase in funding to support victims of domestic abuse, adding £19 million to existing allocations for safe accommodation, counselling, court guidance, and children’s services. This investment comes on top of £480 million already confirmed in local government budgets and £550 million across the justice system over the next three years, aiming to expand access to vital support for survivors and their children. The additional funding is expected to support nearly 140,000 people, including an extra 4,900 households in need of safety over the next three years, building on previous efforts that helped almost 77,000 survivors and children access safe accommodation in 2024-25.
Central to this initiative is the provision of safe accommodation, including domestic abuse refuges and confidential locations far from perpetrators, alongside tailored move-on support to help survivors secure long-term housing and rebuild their lives. For those who remain in their own homes, local authorities can implement Sanctuary Schemes, offering practical security upgrades such as locks and alarms combined with specialist domestic abuse support to create safe living environments and help victims and children recover.
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern emphasized that no one should have to choose between staying in an unsafe home or facing homelessness, highlighting the government’s commitment to treating violence against women and girls as a national emergency with a target to halve it over the next decade. Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips stressed that the funding ensures victims remain safe while targeting abusers, providing survivors with essential resources to rebuild their lives.
The initiative also aligns with the National Plan for Homelessness, aiming to prevent homelessness among domestic abuse survivors. Recent statistics show that over one in ten people at risk of homelessness are fleeing domestic abuse, and nearly 70% of women who slept rough in 2025 had experienced domestic abuse since age 16. Streamlined, ringfenced local government funding now allows councils to plan holistically and adopt innovative prevention strategies, including trauma-informed support and best practices like the Whole Housing Approach and Sanctuary Schemes.
Additional funding of £55.8 million will provide intensive support for the most vulnerable, ensuring coordination across health, housing, and justice services. Legislation earlier this year removed local connection requirements for domestic abuse survivors seeking social housing, allowing safer access to suitable homes. Over the next three years, £550 million will also be allocated to support services helping victims and witnesses navigate the justice system, offering counselling and practical guidance for court processes. The combined efforts of government and society aim to prevent abuse, protect victims, and ensure justice is delivered.
