The Domestic Abuse Act includes the first statutory definition of domestic abuse, outlining that this can encompass a wide range of behaviours that can affect many aspects of a victim\u2019s life and relationships, including those with pets. The Act also amended the definition of \u2018personally connected\u2019, removing the \u2018living together\u2019 requirement for the controlling or coercive behaviour offence. This means, as of Spring 2022, the offence will now apply to intimate partners, ex-partners or family members, regardless of whether the victim and perpetrator live together, better capturing post-separation abuse.<\/p>
The draft Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance published for consultation, and the upcoming Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Statutory Guidance, both recognise that domestic abuse can involve violence or threats against pets. Both pieces of guidance seek to support agencies in identifying and responding to domestic abuse and reducing risk to victims. Finalised Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance will be issued after all relevant updates have been made. The Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Guidance will be published for consultation shortly.<\/p>
Victims of domestic abuse with pets can face additional barriers to leaving an abusive relationship. The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) introduced a new legal duty within the Domestic Abuse Act on local authorities, which came into force on 1 October 2021, to provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their children within safe accommodation including refuges, backed by £125 million of Government funding to ensure that these vital services are available to anyone who need them, wherever they live. This includes victims who have a pet. Associated regulations provide clear definitions of safe accommodation under the duty. Local authorities can refer to the regulations to help them provide support in safe accommodation suitable for victims with pets fleeing domestic abuse.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T15:47:03.263Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Domestic Abuse: Temporary Accommodation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help accommodate domestic abuse survivors with dogs access refuges and accommodation easily.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4632", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anna McMorrin"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anna McMorrin"} ], "uin" : "92053"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387192", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387192/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Domestic Abuse Act includes the first statutory definition of domestic abuse, outlining that this can encompass a wide range of behaviours that can affect many aspects of a victim\u2019s life and relationships, including those with pets.<\/p>
Both the draft Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance and upcoming Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Statutory Guidance recognise that pets can be used as a means to perpetrate domestic abuse, including to coerce or exert control over a victim. While the relationship between controlling or coercive behaviour and using pets to perpetrate this is recognised by the Home Office, we do not currently hold data specifically on the use of pets as part of controlling or coercive behaviour.<\/p>
More generally, data shows that the number of recorded controlling or coercive behaviour offences has increased year on year, with 24,856 controlling or coercive behaviour offences being recorded in 2019/20 (ONS, 2020).<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4668", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rachel Maclean"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Redditch"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rachel Maclean"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T15:50:25.467Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Domestic Abuse: Pets"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department holds data on the use of pets as coercive control in domestic abuse.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4632", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anna McMorrin"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cardiff North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Anna McMorrin"} ], "uin" : "92054"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387210", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387210/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The waiting times for biometric residence permits (BRP) are dictated by the BRP production and delivery processes. We aim to deliver a BRP within 7 working days of the immigration decision.<\/p>
BRPs are produced at the secure delivery facility (Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA)) within 48 hours of the decision being made and are collected by our secure delivery partner the same day. Our secure delivery partner (FedEx) aims to attempt to deliver the BRPs within 48 hours of receipt of the BRPs. This equates to a minimum of 5 working days from date of decision to delivery of the BRP. We have added an additional 2 working days to the timeline advised to applicants to allow us to resolve any production issues.<\/p>
In November, DVLA produced all BRPs within 48 hours of the production request, of which 88.8% were produced within 24 hours. In November FedEx attempted to deliver 99.74% of BRPs within 48 hours.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T11:07:32.55Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Biometric Residence Permits"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of waiting times for Biometric Residence Permits.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4864", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Olivia Blake"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Sheffield, Hallam"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Olivia Blake"} ], "uin" : "92134"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387214", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387214/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
All Home Office employees are working to a COVID safe system of work when conducting frontline duties during the pandemic. This includes robust control measures when working with passengers, migrants or encountering symptomatic persons around the country or at sea. Migrants arriving via the English Channel are predominantly taken to Tug Haven where they are provided with facemasks and tested. France is not a red-list country and therefore the risk posed to officers is similar to that of larger ports around the country.<\/p>
All frontline staff are working to the controls within the risk assessment and safe systems of work such as social distancing wherever possible, mandatory use of type 2R PPE masks and gloves.<\/p>
Home Office employees are not prioritised for vaccinations and as of Wednesday 15th<\/sup> December, all over 18\u2019s will be eligible to receive the booster jab which we strongly encourage staff to get.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4369", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tom Pursglove"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Corby"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Tom Pursglove"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T16:58:51.213Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "UK Border Force: Staff"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the vulnerability of Border Force personnel to viral infection from direct contact with large numbers of asylum seekers rescued in the English Channel; what steps she plans to take in conjunction with the Department for Health and Social Care to help ensure that such Border Force personnel are able to be fully vaccinated as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/54", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Julian Lewis"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "New Forest East"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Julian Lewis"}
], "uin" : "91825"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387221", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387221/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We have not received any advice from UK Health Security Agency on the ongoing use of Napier, however we continue to engage with UK Health Security Agency to ensure COVID 19 is a managed effectively on site.<\/p> There are no current confirmed cases of active tuberculosis at Napier The one person identified by the NHS was, on the advice of UK Health Security Agency, moved to alternative accommodation on 14 December 21.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T11:06:22.507Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Napier Barracks"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she (a) has received and (b) is taking steps in response to advice from Public Health England on the (i) ongoing use of Napier Barracks, (ii) covid-19 outbreak in Napier Barracks and (iii) cases of active TB in Napier Barracks as of 13 December 2021.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4430", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison Thewliss"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison Thewliss"}
], "uin" : "91993"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387222", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387222/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " All individuals accommodated at Napier meet the suitability criteria. This is assessed via service user\u2019s asylum screening interview, ASF1\u2019s and any supporting evidence submitted by the service user or their representative.<\/p> Individuals considered vulnerable under the Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2005 regulation 4(3) and/or those who have been referred to the National Referral Mechanism as potential victims of trafficking are not suitable to be accommodated at Napier. Further suitability criteria can be found at: Allocation of accommodation policy Asylum accommodation requests - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)<\/a>. Asylum seekers allocated to the accommodation have full access to the advisory services provided by Migrant Help and are able to raise issues about their suitability to be accommodated at the site.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T16:41:10.47Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Napier Barracks"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are accommodated in Napier Barracks who indicated in their asylum screening interview or ASF1 form that they are either a victim of trafficking, a victim of torture or suffering from mental health problems as of 13 December 2021.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4430", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison Thewliss"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison Thewliss"}
], "uin" : "91994"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387223", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387223/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " According to local data held by Clearsprings Ready Homes, 1033 service users have been accommodated at Napier Barracks since 9th<\/sup> of April 2021.<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T16:37:17.203Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Asylum: Napier Barracks"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people in total have been accommodated in Napier Barracks since April 2021.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4430", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alison Thewliss"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Alison Thewliss"}
], "uin" : "91995"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387272", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387272/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Ministry of Defence together with the Home Office ran a public consultation this year. The consultation sought views on a policy proposal to waive settlement fees for non-UK Service Personnel. The results of the consultation have been analysed, and once collective agreement has been secured for a fully funded policy, the Government will publish its response, and make any associated changes to fees through Fees Regulations at the earliest opportunity.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4451", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Kevin Foster"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Torbay"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Kevin Foster"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2021-12-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2021-12-16T13:03:54.63Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2021-12-13", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Immigration: Armed Forces"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of waiving visa fees for non-UK (a) service personnel, (b) veterans and (c) their dependents who have served a minimum of five years in Her Majesty's armed forces.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4243", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dan Jarvis"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barnsley Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dan Jarvis"}
], "uin" : "91969"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387273", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1387273/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "