Labour MP Alex McIntyre will seek to introduce the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill to the House of Commons on Tuesday
Labour MP Alex McIntyre will seek to introduce the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill to the House of Commons on Tuesday
Victims of domestic abuse could soon receive paid time off work to address their situation if a proposed law is accepted by Parliament. The proposed legislation, aimed at helping individuals manage the consequences of such abuse, would include providing a number of days for “safe leave” for essential activities like securing a safe place, attending to health needs, and participating in legal procedures.
Labour MP Alex McIntyre is set to present the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday, pushing for the introduction of up to 10 days’ paid safe leave subject to future discussions. In preparation, Mr McIntyre has engaged with his Gloucester constituency’s local organisations to grasp the extent of domestic violence and gather insights into supporting survivors more effectively.
The idea of workplace support measures, specifically safe leave, emerged as a key suggestion according to the MP. Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr McIntyre said: “The Bill proposes a right to paid safe leave for people experiencing domestic abuse to address issues related to that abuse.”
He noted that the types of activities this could encompass are finding safety, dealing with health or housing situations, childcare arrangements, court or police proceedings, and counselling services.
He added: “This Labour Government has set an ambitious mission to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.
“The Bill proposes a right to paid safe leave for people experiencing domestic abuse to address issues related to that abuse. I fully support this mission and think this Bill would complement that work.”
Discussing the challenges faced by Private members’ bills (PMBs) due to limited parliamentary time, he highlighted his discussions with ministers about current initiatives. He said: “I know that the Home Secretary (Yvette Cooper) and (Justice Secretary) Shabana Mahmood have placed victims and survivors at the heart of this mission and have spoken with (Home Office minister) Jess Phillips and (justice minister) Alex Davies-Jones about the brilliant work that they are already doing.”
Regarding the goals of his proposed legislation, Mr McIntyre added: “This Bill is intended to start a conversation about how we can make workplaces a safer place for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and violence, and I will continue to raise this issue on behalf of my constituents.”
He will employ the 10-minute rule process to introduce his Bill in Commons, which allows him a speech of up to 10 minutes advocating for his PMB, with the same allotted time for any opposing MPs. The House will then vote on whether the PMB should be introduced.
If the motion passes, it signifies the PMB’s first reading and Mr McIntyre will schedule a date for a more detailed second reading debate.
