Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine has secured a commitment from the Conservative Government to bring forward its Domestic Abuse Bill before Easter.
In response to a question from Christine Jardine in the House of Commons, Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg promised that the Government’s Domestic Abuse Bill “will certainly be introduced before Easter.”
The Conservative Government promised the Bill in the Queen’s Speech of June 2017, but only introduced it for the first time in July 2019. The Bill passed 2nd Reading in the Commons and began its Committee Stage in October, but fell when Parliament was dissolved for the General Election.
Following her question, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “I welcome the Government’s promise to bring forward the Domestic Abuse Bill before Easter and will hold Ministers to account for the commitment they’ve given me today.
“More than 2 million people experience domestic abuse each year, and they have been left waiting far too long for this badly-needed legislation.
“Liberal Democrats are calling for the Bill to include proper funding for refuges and Rape Crisis centres and to address the specific barriers to support facing migrant women who experience domestic abuse.”