Domestic violence is costing the UK in excess of £23 billion a year, new figures have suggested.

Injuries caused by domestic violence are costing employers and workers nearly £3 billion a year, according a study released by deputy women's minister Jacqui Smith.

Government Response: Home Office

Home Office minister Baroness Scotland said: "The impact of domestic violence goes much wider than the victim, so this figure of £6 billion is unfortunately no surprise. What is also disturbing is the emotional cost to victims and their children.

"These findings strengthen the case we are making for domestic violence to be on the agenda of every statutory agency and private business, affecting as it does their customers and employees. Domestic violence is completely unacceptable and all of us should take responsibility to challenge and root out abuse among our friends, our colleagues and in our communities at large."

Party Response: Conservative

Theresa May, the Conservatives' family spokesman, said: "No one should underestimate the cost to the Treasury of  domestic violence, but it is the cost to the lives of so many families that must not be forgotten.

"We have to send out a clear and resounding message that this must stop - domestic violence can no longer be termed 'just a domestic'. There must be a culture shift in relation to domestic violence.

"For a culture change to be sustainable, we need to target all generations, but particularly younger men and women.

"There are worrying figures which show that about 20 per cent of young men and 10 per cent of young women think abuse or violence against a partner is acceptable.

"Legislation is not enough; more must be done using tough advertisings campaigns, similar to the drink-driving ads, to raise awareness and make domestic violence socially unacceptable."

Stakeholder Response: ChildLine

Natasha Finlayson, ChildLine's director of policy and communications, said: "While today's figures highlight the financial cost of domestic violence in the UK, it is near impossible to put a price on the emotional cost to the victims of domestic violence, particularly the long term effects on the mental, emotional and physical well-being of children living in violent homes.