Vagrancy Act “should be repealed”, says Robert Jenrick MP - Crisis response

This afternoon Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick MP told the House of Commons that the Vagrancy Act should be “consigned to history”.

In 2017 the UK government announced a review of the 19th century law and today in response to a question from Nickie Aiken MP, Mr Jenrick said it was his opinion that the “antiquated” legislation, which criminalises rough sleeping and begging, should be repealed.

Through its Scrap the Act campaign, Crisis has been calling for an end to the 1824 legislation.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “The Secretary of State is absolutely right to say the Vagrancy Act should be repealed.

“This archaic piece of law does nothing to tackle the root causes of rough sleeping and instead drives people further away from support. This ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to homelessness benefits no one and denies people dignity and respect.

“We have worked closely with MPs, police and people with lived experience of rough sleeping to right this historic wrong, and look forward to working with the UK government on the legislation to repeal the act.”