Town hall chiefs are today urged to boost help for domestic violence victims as the coronavirus second wave grips the country.
Research shows 60% of English councils outside London did not provide any extra beds for abuse victims fleeing their tormentors during the first spike in the pandemic.
Freedom of information requests to all 126 local authorities which must provide accommodation for domestic violence victims found three fifths did not offer additional beds – and only 243 extra places were provided in total.
During the first three weeks of the original Covid-19 lockdown, 16 women and children died at the hands of men – the highest in 11 years.