An MP has welcomed moves to tackle domestic violence against women and girls.

Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew asked the Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities, Theresa May, what steps she was taking to reduce domestic violence.

He welcomed her response that actions included the ring-fencing of £40m to provide specialist local domestic and domestic violence support services until 2015.

Mr Andrew said: “Every year, more than one million women suffer domestic abuse. More than 300,000 women are sexually assaulted and 60,000 women are raped and suffer from this abuse in their own homes, behind closed doors.”