Domestic Abuse Bill: Peers vote to protect migrant survivors

Yesterday, Liberal Democrat peers helped to defeat the Government a further two times, voting to include crucial protections for migrant survivors of domestic abuse. The House of Lords passed two cross-party amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill that would end the sharing of survivors’ personal data with the Home Office for immigration control purposes. The amendments would also give survivors access to public funds. The Liberal Democrats voted for both amendments, while the Government voted against. The Bill will now return to the Commons for ping-pong on Monday 26th April. Following the votes, Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson on Home Affairs, said: “All survivors of domestic abuse should have the same support and protections, regardless of their immigration status. No one should be trapped in a violent or abusive situation for any reason. “It is very disappointing that the Conservative Government is still opposing these crucial protections. The Tories are putting anti-immigrant ideology ahead of combatting domestic abuse and supporting survivors. “The Domestic Abuse Bill must protect everyone. Liberal Democrats have been working hard cross-party to make this landmark legislation the strongest it can possibly be, and we will continue to do so.”