To ask Her Majesty's Government how many beds have been available for victims of domestic violence and their dependants in refuges in each year since 2000. [HL422]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many beds have been available for victims of domestic violence under 18 in each year since 2000. [HL423]

We do not hold this information centrally. Decisions on the provision of refuge spaces are a local matter. It is the responsibility of the individual local authority to identify any gaps in service provision and put in place appropriate solutions to address this. We would expect local authorities to build services based on the needs of their communities, taking account of locally available information. We would expect refuge places to be available to all ages.

My department provides a homelessness prevention grant (approximately £200 2008-11) to local authorities and the voluntary and community sector to encourage activity to prevent homelessness. The Supporting People programme provides a significant proportion of revenue funding for housing-related support for victims of domestic violence, often delivered in refuges. In 2006-07 spend was £61.6 million, compared to £59.3 million in 2005-06.

My department also funds UKRefugesonline (UKROL), a UK-wide database of domestic violence services delivered in partnership by Women's Aid and Refuge which supports the national 24-hour free phone domestic violence helpline. It enables those working with victims of domestic violence to identify appropriate services and potential refuge vacancies around the country. UKROL produces the UK Gold Book, a guide to refuge and domestic abuse services, every two years.