VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND THE NO RECOURSE TO PUBLIC FUNDS RULE

Early day motion 214, tabled 24 November 2009 by Jo Swinson (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 107 members.

That this House commends the work of Amnesty International, the No Recourse to Public Funds campaign and the End Violence Against Women campaign; acknowledges that the current no recourse to public funds rule has a devastating effect on hundreds of women who are trapped in a cycle of abuse, unable to access basic levels of protection and support due to their immigration status; believes that the Government has a duty to protect the human rights of all women entering the UK regardless of immigration status, as stated in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); further acknowledges the recent Home Office pilot project, but recognises the need for a permanent solution for all women; and therefore calls on the Government to exempt women fleeing domestic violence from the no recourse to public funds rule, to grant women's refuges the funds they need to offer protection from violence to all women suffering abuse, and to launch an integrated strategy to counter violence against women so as to prevent contradictory policies undermining women's rights.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Liberal Democrat 42, Independent 3, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Independent Labour 1, Respect 1, UUP 1.