Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the Women’s Aid annual report, said:

“Victims of domestic violence are being denied specialist support and justice as services are being hollowed out.

"This report from Women’s Aid is a damning verdict on Theresa May’s lack of strategy for domestic violence victims, as specialist and community outreach services have been heavily cut back and Women’s Aid warn that more women are remaining in abusive situations because of this.

"Too many women and children are being denied the help and support they need to keep them safe.

"Domestic violence reports to the police are going up, yet there has been an 11 per cent drop in prosecutions since the police cuts started, and specialist domestic violence units have been hit.

"It’s time for Theresa May to stop looking the other way and to take urgent action to address this growing crisis. We need national standards on domestic violence services to ensure victims have access to the support they need.”