DOMESTIC abuse survivors across the North East and Yorkshire will be supported to rebuild their lives thanks to the allocation of £2.1m for five projects across the region.

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP made the announcement this weekend to help domestic abuse survivors to start to rebuild their lives.

The money will provide new beds in refuges and other safe accommodation, access to education, and tailored employment.

Projects will be delivered by councils, including Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Newcastle City Council, working alongside local organisations to help ensure that no survivor of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need to start their new life.

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP said: “Those who have survived domestic abuse will have had their lives, and the lives of their families, shattered.

"It is our duty to ensure survivors can seek help by providing the support they need to restart their lives.

“Through providing specialist accommodation and access to employment, this fund will make sure councils and charities across the North East and North Yorkshire can provide a strong safety net for anyone facing the threat of abuse in their own home.”

The latest investment will provide tailored support to survivors and their families – including additional beds in refuges and other safe accommodation.

It is hoped that the investment will help to ensure that no survivor of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need to start their new life.

Welcoming the investment, Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive of Refuge said: “That Refuge services will be supported by this fund is hugely welcome news both for us and particularly for the thousands of women and children we support on a daily basis.

“Critically, this funding ensures that many of our refuges will remain open and continue to provide life-saving specialist support to those experiencing domestic abuse.

"A small number would have been forced to close had we not received these crucial funds."

The government has also published new guidance for councils to prioritise domestic abuse survivors when allocating social housing and encourages councils to use existing powers to support survivors to remain safely in their own homes if they choose to do so.

The government will shortly be introducing a new landmark Domestic Abuse Bill to protect and support survivors, recognise the life-long impact domestic abuse has on children and make sure agencies are effectively respond to domestic abuse.