Under-threat women’s refuges win long-term funding guarantee in biggest victory yet for Sun campaign

UNDER-threat women’s refuges have won a long term funding guarantee from ministers - delivering the biggest victory yet for The Sun’s Give Me Shelter campaign.

Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green has revealed a plan with charities to develop a new funding model with “a specially ring-fenced pot of money”.

The landmark move means an end to long running fears that dozens of the vital shelters for abuse victims may have to close.

Mr Green’s announcement came as he confirmed Theresa May’s order last week to also exempt them from a crippling housing benefit cap until 2019, when the new funding plan will kick in.

As The Sun revealed last week, seven in ten refuges faced shut down  just from  the Government’s initial plan to include them in a new housing benefit cap alone.

Mr Green said: “We know the valuable role that these organisations play in communities across Britain.

“Women’s refuges or housing for young people with learning disabilities are important parts of the support system for vulnerable people.

“As we build a Britain that works for everyone, not just the privileged few, our new funding model will help those people who need it the most.”

The Cabinet minister also heaped praise on The Sun’s long-running campaign that we fought alongside Women’s Aid.

Mr Green added: “I want to thank The Sun for highlighting the invaluable work of women’s refuges.

“This government is determined to build a Britain that works for everyone and not just the privileged few.

“The new funding model and flexibility will help Britain’s most vulnerable people who need our help the most.”

We persuaded then-Chancellor George Osborne to stump up £3.2million in emergency funding for refuges in his summer Budget last year.

But cash-strapped shelters all across the country still faced a longterm crisis.

Women’s Aid told of their delight at the new solution.

Chief Executive Polly Neate said: “We warmly welcome the news that the government will be working with Women’s Aid to develop a permanent sustainable solution to refuge funding that ensures that refuges do not see a reduction in current levels of funding”.

“This news will save refuges that otherwise would have closed down, and save countless lives.”

The move to exempt refuges permanently from any loss in housing benefit income was also welcomed by Labour MPs David Lammy and Jess Phillips, who campaigned for it.

Delighted Ms Phillips said the news meant “being an MP in all the hard times is worth it”.

But amid confusion in Labour’s ranks, its Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Debbie Abrahams attacked the government’s consultation on how to ease the pain of the housing benefit cuts on all vulnerable groups as “cowardly”.

Ms Abrahams added: “People who have suffered domestic abuse, veterans, older people, disabled people, the homeless, and young people leaving care still don’t have the certainty they need to live their lives”.