Week 3 article

The welfare reform bill is intending to remove various different benefits and replace it with one single universal benefit. Many households are therefore going to be losing hundreds, even thousands of pounds.

Despite the government taking a u-turn on their idea of scrapping housing benefits, they are intending to close many domestic violence charities; in some cases the cuts are intending to affect 100% of services.

A well-known statistic is that the majority of domestic violence victims are female and often young. With the 41% gender pay gap for part- time workers, the economical climate and childcare costs; it is thought there is not enough room or finances to accommodate them.

Tony Hall, from Eastleigh Borough Council, emphasises how the housing demand is already stretched:

"There are 5,500 people on waiting lists…it is often very hard to accommodate people who have been the victims of domestic abuse."

Michele Price, the Manager of Winchester’s Night shelter, explains how the high demand for beds is forcing her to extend the shelter:

 "We are always full and offer a hot bed system. Last year we turned away 300 people. At the moment we have the builders round to extend the shelter and I am losing my main office."

By Natasha Spencer