TELEVISION LICENCE FEE SCHEME FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE REFUGES

That this House is deeply concerned that women who have fled to refuge centres due to domestic abuse are responsible for purchasing a television licence immediately upon arrival, should they have a television in their room; notes that hotels and guesthouses already benefit from TV licence concessions; further notes that many women in such a distressed and displaced position are particularly reliant upon television, especially to entertain their children; believes that women who have fled a violent partner should not feel threatened by an enforcement officer arriving unannounced at the refuge, as violent men stalking their ex-partners often pose as officials to gain access to properties; expresses concern that funds from organisations which run refuge centres are being diverted to pay for television licences; and therefore calls for women's refuge centres to be included in the same television licence fee scheme as the hospitality industry.