Emergency loans for women fleeing domestic violence to be axed

[ninjasquirrel]

Apparently the Lords are voting tomorrow on whether to abolish the social fund. Even after all they have done, I cannot believe the government is sinking so low as to get rid of emergency loans (not even benefits, FFS) for those who are completely desperate and leave them to the loan sharks.

Article here Quotes:

"I work for a woman's refuge and the social fund is absolutely essential to women fleeing domestic violence. It can take many weeks for a claim for benefits to be processed and during this time women often have no money at all for themselves and their children. They are destitute until they receive their benefits. This is where the social fund comes in."

"I've been homeless twice. Myself and my daughter ? who was newborn the first time, four years old the second time ? used the social fund when we were finally housed to buy beds, a cooker, a washing machine, a fridge and a settee. Without the social fund we would have slept on the floor and gone without a hot meal.
We were homeless because we were fleeing domestic violence. How can anyone agree that denying people who just want to be safe the help to do so is right?"

Before the election, I was feeling quite warm towards Cameron (not enough to vote for him, but still) because one of his pledges was an active campaign to end violence towards women.

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

"Cut by 39%; the remaining £178m will be dispersed to local authorities but not ringfenced. Many councils admit they will spend it on other things."
There is also a risk that once some councils don't provide it, neighbouring ones won't want to be too generous because they won't want to attract applicants.

This will end up costing more than it will ever save. The children will have to be put onto a Child In Need or Child Protection plan, to tap into other funds so that the basics can be supplied. The fear of the children being on a plan will prevent women from seeking help, so either they stay or their family have to pick up the bill. We are going backwards. I am posting this on every section that is bringing up the cuts, btw.

I cannot help but feel that this is part of an age old agenda by the Conservatives, to have mothers in two parent families, regardless.

I am gutted. I came out of a violent marriage just over 10 years ago. I will never forget the feeling of fear I had when I was at the Women's Aid office. I thought me and my children would end up on the street! I felt so stupid, weak and pathetic that I had put up with what I had. It is an awful feeling. Women that feel like that need all the help they can get.

Birds, I agree with your final comment I am sure that the Conservatives live in Cloud Cuckoo Land and expect everyone to stay together no matter what.

This will end up costing more than it will ever save. The children will have to be put onto a Child In Need or Child Protection plan, to tap into other funds so that the basics can be supplied. The fear of the children being on a plan will prevent women from seeking help, so either they stay or their family have to pick up the bill. We are going backwards. I am posting this on every section that is bringing up the cuts, btw.

No, this wont happen..takes a couple of weeks (at least) for an Initial CP conference to take place. takes up to 10 days for an Initial assessment recommending a CIN plan...wouldnt not help anyone needing to flee immediately at all.

they have already decided to scrap it.
It will no longer be organised by DWP but instead the money will be given to local authorities to decide on how to distribute it. The money is not ring fenced and many councils have already admitted that it WILL be used elsewhere.

The social fund is an essential budgeting tool for many who are forced to spend a prolonged period on benefits.

The only hope is that the Lords try and block this. It will be debated tomorrow. I've been doing a bit of last-minute e-activism through www.writetothem.com/lords Messages go via the central fax machine generally so not sure whether they will arrive by tomorrow, when the Social Fund (and CSA) will be debated. Still, if anyone has time I think it's worth a try. I picked a couple from www.libdems.org.uk/peers.aspx that looked like they might be sympathetic.

Fucking hell. :( Just when I thought I couldn't have any less faith in the government...

Currently writing to a Lord who seems very sympathetic on the matter of domestic violence.

Agent orange you're talking unmitigated conspiracy tosh
State conspiracy to separate families?
Dear god,most times the services struggle to get resources,staff to do the statutory mandatory minimum,let alone undertake some dark conspiracy to break up families