Julie Walters, a patron of Women’s Aid England, agreed, saying that “domestic abuse is a human rights issue”.

“Women and children need the specialist support that refuges provide to reclaim their dignity and strength.”

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) said that a review into the housing benefit cap is currently being conducted “to ensure it is sustainable in the long-term”.

“We fully support the valuable work carried out by domestic abuse refuges and other supported accommodation providers,” he said, adding: “We will continue working with providers to ensure the right protections are in place and will set out our plans in the autumn.”

The Archers airs weekdays at 7pm and is repeated again the following day at 2pm on BBC Radio 4.

If you were affected by this storyline, you can contact organisations such as Women's Aid and Rape Crisis for help and support.

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