Refuges provide a vital, life-saving service for women, which is why I support the decision to launch a consultation on the best way to ensure their future funding is right. As I understand, Government ministers have already met with the Women's Aid and I hope the charity will play a full role in contributing to the consultation.
The Government has a strong record of supporting refuges. Women Aid's own data shows that the number of refuge bed spaces in England has grown by 10 per cent since 2010. While I welcome this progress, more remains to be done. That is why I supported the decision to invest £20 million between 2016 and 2018 in women's refuges, which will create an additional 2,200 bed spaces.
There has also been a good deal of progress in tackling violence against women in general. While just one death is one too many, no longer are two women, on average, killed every week by violent partners and ex-partners, as was the case at the start of the decade. Similarly, the estimated number of women suffering from domestic abuse each year has decreased by 15 per cent over the same period. I also welcome that the conviction rate for domestic-abuse related prosecutions by the Crown Prosecution Service has increased to 76 per cent, up from 72 per cent in the last seven years.
I am confident that the landmark Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill, which will be brought forward this Parliament, will reduce incidences of violence against women even further. Similarly, the £17m Violence Against Women and Girls Service Transformation Fund will support 41 local areas across England and Wales in providing services for survivors.