David Cameron begged to spare refuges for domestic violence victims from cuts

Labour MP Jess Phillips has asked David Cameron to protect refuges for victims of domestic violence from cuts.

Changes to housing benefit’s “shared accommodation rate” are set to strip refuges of significant funding in 2017.

Ms Phillips told the PM at Prime Minister’s Questions: “Already in 2016 at least 46 women have been murdered in the UK. This number would be a lot higher if it wasn't for specialised refuges.

“I am standing to beg the PM to exempt refuge accommodation from the changes to housing benefit beyond 2017.

“I don't want a stock answer about the £40million over the next four years. Will he exempt refuges? Will he choose to save lives?”

Mr Cameron did not directly answer the question and said he would examine “all of the possible consequences” of the policy change.

Most women’s refuges are majority-funded by housing benefit payments through the shared accommodation rate, a cut of which was announced in the Budget.

In 2015's Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced £15 million funding for women's charities hypothecated from rate of VAT charged on women's sanitary products.