The UK government is set to repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act, which criminalizes rough sleeping, after acknowledging it as cruel and outdated. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner highlighted the move as a step towards addressing systemic injustices against homeless individuals. Instead of criminalizing rough sleeping, the government will implement targeted measures to combat organized begging and trespassing. The plan includes amending the Crime and Policing Bill, ensuring police can address community safety without penalizing vulnerable populations. This change reflects both government and charitable body calls for reform, marking a significant shift in homelessness policy in England and Wales.
The Vagrancy Act, enacted in 1824, will be scrapped to decriminalise rough sleeping and replace it with measures targeting anti-social behavior instead.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner emphasized that criminalizing rough sleeping is cruel and outdated, aiming to rectify nearly two centuries of injustice.
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