UK Parliament / Open data

Welfare Reform Bill

Proceeding contribution from Baroness Hollis of Heigham (Labour) in the House of Lords on Thursday, 22 October 2009. It occurred during Debate on bills on Welfare Reform Bill.
My Lords, I, too, am delighted that my noble friend has been able to make this major movement forward in responding to the issues presented by domestic violence. I am so pleased that the Government, here as in so many other fields, have been able to take on board the concerns expressed in Committee. I have only one question. An extension of 13 weeks is fine, but those of us who in the past have been involved in hostels for battered wives and so on know that there are cases sometimes where someone can be on the move for more than 13 weeks. Over several months they may move from location to location, unable to settle if or until the police have finally arrested, prosecuted or possibly detained the alleged abuser. Can I take it that the 13-week period still permits an extension for good cause; in other words, can the same arguments for a period of 13 weeks be used, where necessary, to go beyond that time where there is clear evidence of continued instability and fear of violence?
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
713 c921 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Back to top