A WIRRAL MP has asked the Prime Minister and the Government to help survivors of economic abuse.
During Prime Minister's Questions today (Wednesday, November 6) Matthew Patrick MP for Wirral West asked Sir Keir Starmer and the relevant ministers to work with him to get the credit files of victim-survivors of economic abuse restored.
Currently, victim-survivors can suffer lasting consequences of economic abuse perpetrated by a current or former partner long after they’ve fled due to their credit rating being harmed by coerced debts.
Mr Patrick shared the story of Emily (a pseudonym to protect the survivor’s identity), a survivor of domestic abuse, who was left with a ruined credit file when her abusive ex-partner stopped contributing to their joint mortgage after she fled to safe accommodation for her safety.
Despite informing her lender of the economic abuse she was experiencing, Emily has seen lasting damage from the years spent trying to separate herself financially from her perpetrator, having faced issues trying to rent a property, finance a car and take out a mobile phone contract in her own name.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Patrick said: "Emily left her ex, but the abuse did not stop.
“He stayed in their home, cancelled his mortgage contributions and destroyed her credit score.
"Now, she cannot even take out a mobile phone contract.
"Surviving Economic Abuse and UK Finance have made progress tackling this problem, but there is more to be done.
"Would the Prime Minister and his Government work with me to bring in new provisions to restore the credit files of survivors of economic abuse like Emily?"
Responding, the Prime Minister committed to ending the "national emergency" of economic and domestic abuse.
He also assured that Mr Patrick would meet relevant Ministers to progress his work.
Mr Starmer said: "I thank my honourable friend for raising this important issue because economic abuse has a devastating impact on victims leaving them vulnerable and isolated.
"We are committed to ending this national emergency and keeping women safe from domestic abuse, harassment and stalking.
"That includes £200,000 this year to the charity Surviving Economic Abuse and HMRC have launched an online tool to help charities and business identify and respond to economic abuse."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel