Refuge appeal goes to parliament

Housing Today's Christmas appeal in aid of domestic violence charity Refuge has led to 37 MPs tabling an early day motion for a national awareness campaign on domestic violence.

The motion calls for action to help the victims of domestic violence to be a public policy priority and says the business community should be encouraged to become involved in raising awareness.

The news came as the government advertised for a head of a new domestic violence unit, who will start in the New Year.

The unit will be based in the Home Office and follows the creation of a government ministerial group on domestic violence that includes Harriet Harmen and junior housing minister Tony McNulty.