TELEVISION LICENCE FEE SCHEME FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE REFUGES

Early day motion 1782, tabled 8 March 2006 by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 79 members.

That this House is deeply concerned that women who have fled to refuge centres due to domestic abuse are responsible for purchasing a television licence immediately should they have a television in their room; notes that many women in such a distressed and displaced position are particularly reliant upon television, especially to entertain their children; is aware that women are at the greatest risk of homicide when they have fled their abuser; further notes that violent men who stalk their ex-partners often pose as officials to gain access to properties when seeking the women; believes that women who have fled a violent partner should not feel threatened by an enforcement officer arriving unannounced at the refuge; further notes that the Government's own targets for local authorities is one refuge bed space per 10,000 population, totalling 6,000 across the UK; further notes that women often do not know how long they will need to stay in a refuge; expresses concern that funds from charities and organisations which run refuge centres are being diverted to pay for television licences for the rooms available to sheltered women; recognises that the hospitality sector already benefits from television licence concessions; further recognises that it is the Government's stated policy to assist the vulnerable in accessing television services; and therefore calls for women's refuge centres to be included in the same television licence fee scheme as hotels and guesthouses.

Signatures by party: Labour 36, Liberal Democrat 32, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, DUP 1, Respect 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.