AN Oldham councillor has welcomed changes to the law which will see domestic abuse victims automatically prioritised for council accommodation.

Saddleworth West and Lees Cllr Sam Al-Hamdani says changes to the Domestic Abuse Act is a “clear move to provide support for victims". Previously, victims had to be separately assessed as being "vulnerable" as a result of domestic abuse to be identified as having a priority need. Now, domestic abuse will be a standalone reason for qualifying.

Cllr Al-Hamdani said: “It’s terrifying to know how many people are victims of this. There are over 400 cases a month reported across the UK and this is known to be a massively underreported crime.

“How would you feel, having been beaten by someone you thought loved you, if you were then told that that was not enough for you to be a priority?

“The emotional trauma of domestic abuse cannot be underestimated, and removing barriers such as this is crucial to make it easier for people to step away from such a situation.”

The change has also been backed by £125m of funding for 2021/22, to help victims and their children access support in safe accommodation.

The Cllr says limits on the amount of social housing, as well as a lack of long-term funding mean that this lifeline remains precarious.

Cllr Al-Hamdani added: “Domestic abuse has been, and continues to be, a horrific crime that is far too widespread.

"While we are working hard to challenge the mentality that allows people to behave like this, it is not going away soon.

“It is vital that we build more social housing, and have long-term funding in place to ensure that when people can break out of this situation, the support is there without question and without adding to their burden at a moment of crisis.”