Concern as new start grants for domestic abuse victims are cut in half

County bosses have defended their decision to cut a scheme which helps domestic abuse victims and other vulnerable people start new lives.
Picture c/o PixabayPicture c/o Pixabay
Picture c/o Pixabay

Durham County Council provides ‘Settlement Grants’ of up to £1,000 for eligible families and individuals towards the costs of setting up a home following extended stays in temporary accommodation.

This can include those who have fled to refuges from abusive partners, but also anyone who has become homeless due to floods or fires, who are leaving hospital or care homes or even former prisoners.

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But rule changes mean the total amount available to single people has been halved, to just £500.

“These are people who are really vulnerable and who need somewhere to stay,” said Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Mark Wilkes.

“The council was giving them up to £1,000 towards their moving-in costs, but when you consider the cost of things like a fridge or a bed, it’s not a great amount of money.

“But now they say if you’re an individual you can only apply for £500, whereas before you could get up to £1,000.”

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Coun Wilkes was also frustrated by an apparent lack of oversight of the change.

Councillors have not been holding regular meetings for more than a month due to coronavirus and the overhaul was instead confirmed through an online notice of council decisions.

The county council’s Welfare Assistance Scheme (WAS), which issues the Settlement Grants, has an annual budget worth £1 million, of which £140,000 is swallowed by admin costs

Of the remainder, more than £200,000 is allocated to food banks, the NE First Credit Union and the council’s Area Action Partnerships (AAPs).

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But the WAS also ended the 2019/20 financial year overspent by more than £100,000.

Cllr Angela Surtees, cabinet member for social inclusion, said: “A review of our WAS was carried out prior to the coronavirus outbreak and several changes were made so that the scheme would help more people whilst retaining spending within the annual budget.

“Our welfare budget has not been cut and our scheme continues to be one of the most beneficial in the country and indeed has been extended since the coronavirus outbreak.

“We are also the only North East council to continue to offer a 100 per cent Council Tax Reduction scheme.

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“The changes that we have made will allow us to be more flexible as a council.

“By taking individual circumstances further into account, we are able to continue to provide essential items for our residents depending on their needs and any other support that is available.

“It is therefore important to stress that anyone fleeing domestic violence or those affected by homelessness in County Durham have not been adversely affected by the review and will continue to be supported.”

The Settlement Grant programme has also cut the total amount on offer to couples from £1,000 to £750.

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But families or lone parents who apply will still be able to access the maximum £1,000.

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