The Government has been urged to take urgent action to prevent and address the rise in domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new report from the Home Affairs Committee calls for a cross-governmental Covid-19 strategy on domestic abuse, during and after lockdown.

It argues the strategy should include specific measures to improve outreach and prevention, provide adequate funding for support services, include provision for housing and refuge accommodation, and set out a criminal justice response.

It also wants new scheme to ensure victims can access urgent help, such as the expansion of the Safe Spaces model.

Yvette Cooper, chair of the Home Affairs Committee, said: 'There are already alarming signs of the rise in domestic abuse. Our cross-party Committee is calling for an urgent action plan from Government setting out practical measures to tackle domestic abuse as an integrated part of the fight against Covid-19.

'We are calling for new emergency funding for support services, new ways for victims to access help through supermarkets and pharmacies, outreach visits to known vulnerable households, support for children and a new guarantee of safe housing for anyone needing to leave their home during lockdown because of abuse.'