A domestic abuse charity has said it is ‘very concerned’ about proposals from Reform UK to prioritise married couples for social housing, fearing it could mean more women stay with abusive partners.
Reform deputy leader Richard Tice and welfare spokesman Lee Anderson set out the policy at a press conference on Monday morning. It would mean employed British-born people under 35 will go to the front of the queue for social housing, with extra priority for those who are married with children.
Policy details and reaction
Asked about single parents in an interview with Times Radio, Tice said: ‘In an ideal world, it is well-known that children in married couples will do really well at school and we want to encourage that. ‘Sometimes life doesn’t work out, we understand that, but as an objective that is surely preferable.’
A policy document released by Reform said ‘victims of domestic violence’ would also be prioritised for housing, though it did not mention the many other forms of abuse such as coercive control and economic abuse. These other forms can be harder to prove. Currently, anyone at risk of any form of domestic abuse is considered legally homeless and given priority.
Charity’s warning
Ellie Daniel, Head of Policy and Survivor Services at Women’s Aid, said: ‘We are very concerned to hear about any proposals that would prioritise married British couples over others when it comes to social housing. ‘A decision like this could discourage women in abusive marriages from leaving the perpetrator, worried about keeping a roof over their heads, which could subject them and their children to further abuse and increase the threat to their life.’
She highlighted the need for access to social housing for survivors of domestic abuse to move on from safe accommodation such as refuges, and said such a decision could put further pressure on services.
Reform UK’s response
A Reform UK spokesman said: ‘Our policy ensures that victims of domestic violence continue to be prioritised for social housing and are not overlooked in favour of foreign nationals or those who are unemployed. ‘We take domestic violence extremely seriously, which is why we are opposing Labour’s early-release scheme which will put violent domestic abusers back onto our streets.’
They continued: ‘Where abuse is harder to prove, this policy creates no additional risk for victims and does not create any additional barriers to them receiving the help they need. ‘The existing mechanisms for establishing abuse remain in place, and we will continue to use them to ensure victims get the protection and support they need, which will be aided by the delivery of new social housing.’
