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Domestic violence victims won a victory today as the Tories finally abandoned funding reforms after a three-year fight.

In a major U-turn, ministers ditched a shake-up to women’s refuge funding after being warned it would risk women's lives.

It ends a dispute that began in November 2015 when welfare-slashing George Osborne vowed to cap housing benefit for "supported housing" - used by more than 700,000 people - at the market rate.

Theresa May backed out of that plan in October 2017 after campaigners warned homes for the frail and elderly would shut.

But the Prime Minister then suggested another new system of council grants - which Women's Aid warned would "dismantle" its national network of abuse refuges.

Now ministers say they will not proceed with that plan either. Instead they will effectively keep the system as it is now, with more "robust oversight".

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Katie Ghose, Chief Executive of Women's Aid, said the charity was "delighted the government has listened and acted to keep refuge doors open for survivors of domestic abuse."

Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey said: "Nearly 3 years totally wasted before Ministers back down completely under Labour and campaigner pressure."

Under the latest reform, short-term supported housing - including hostels, women's refuges and safe houses - would have been taken out of the welfare system and funded through grants issued by local councils instead.

Ministers promised grants would be ring-fenced, but campaigners warned there were too many unanswered questions.

After a consultation triggered more than 400 responses, the Housing Ministry and DWP today announced it "will not proceed with the grant model".

(Image: Getty)

"We have concluded that continuing to provide funding via the welfare system, together with a robust oversight regime, is the better option," the ministry wrote.

The latest proposals would also have created a new system of "sheltered rent" for some older people in supported housing. That will not be pursued either.

David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said: "After years of uncertainty, we are delighted that housing costs will remain in the social security system for all supported housing, sheltered and extra care.

"This announcement means that hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom are vulnerable, will continue to receive the support they need by right, through the social security system.

"It gives them the certainty and security they need and deserve.”

Chartered Institute of Housing head of policy Melanie Rees said: “This type of housing provides vital support for some of the most vulnerable people in our society – people who have been victims of homelessness or domestic abuse for example.

(Image: Huddersfield Examiner)

"It is absolutely right that it will continue to be funded by the welfare system.

"Without that certainty there was a real risk that refuges and other supported housing schemes would have been forced to close.”

Centrepoint spokesman Paul Noblet said: "People living in supported housing, like the homeless young people Centrepoint supports, are some of the most vulnerable in society.

"The government has rightly recognised that funding for this vital service should be allocated according to the level of need, not a pre-set budget, as Centrepoint has consistently argued."

Greg Beales, Director of Campaigns at Shelter, said: “We’re delighted that the government has chosen to keep housing benefit in place for those in supported housing, including people fleeing domestic violence or living in a homeless hostel."

Around £4.12billion in housing benefit is spent each year on payments for supported housing, around 17% of the total for that benefit.

The government will work with providers, local authorities, membership bodies and resident representatives over the coming months to develop an oversight regime.

Family support minister Justin Tomlinson said the government were "committed" to people living safely and had "listened carefully to concerns".