Refuge responds to the autumn budget statement

Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO, said:

“We are pleased to hear that the Chancellor has decided to raise Universal Credit and other ‘legacy’ benefits in line with inflation in today’s autumn statement. This comes after consistent pressure from Refuge and numerous other organisations across the charity sector to ensure this cost of living crisis does not cost the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.

“I would implore the Chancellor to implement the benefit uplift immediately, and not wait until next April to make this vital change. Survivors and their children are struggling now, and they need urgent action to weather the storm of price increases this winter. No one should be left choosing between ongoing abuse and violence or poverty and hunger.

“The reality is that nothing has changed for women and children experiencing domestic abuse today. 77% of frontline workers Refuge surveyed said many women could not afford to leave their abusers. Refuge echoes calls across the VAWG sector for the government to establish an Emergency Domestic Abuse Fund, so no woman has to choose between financial stability and her physical safety.”