Today the UK
government has refused to back a
cross-party effort in
the House of Lords to decriminalise
homelessness, by not accepting amendments that
would repeal the Vagrancy Act.
The Act, which came into law in 1824,
criminalises rough sleeping and begging. Through its ‘Scrap the
Act’ campaign Crisis has been calling for the Act to be repealed
so that people experiencing homelessness are supported rather
than criminalised for having nowhere to go, other
than the streets.
But despite the Prime Minister
recently recognising the need to “reconsider” the archaic
Vagrancy Act in Prime Minister’s Questions, the Government
has not accepted amendments to the Police, Crime,
Sentencing and Courts Bill which would have ensured that
the nearly 200-years-old legislation would be consigned to
the history books.
Matt Downie, Director of Policy and External Affairs at
Crisis, said: “It
is very disappointing that the UK government has missed this
perfect opportunity to decriminalise homelessness and
destitution.
"As the Prime Minister himself has
said, no one should be criminalised for being homeless. The
policing bill represents the best possible chance to
consign this appalling law to history. Outdated and
counterproductive, the Vagrancy Act only drives people further
away from support.
“The government still has the chance
to do the right thing and back Lord Best’s amendments at Report
Stage. We urge ministers and Peers across the
House of Lords to take this precious opportunity to right
a 200-year-old wrong.”
, who tabled the amendments,
said: “My amendments to
the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill have received warm
support from all parties, so it is disappointing that the
Government did not feel able to support them at Committee
Stage. All evidence
suggests that supporting people out of homelessness is far more
effective than criminalising them, and I believe
there is an overall recognition that the Vagrancy Act is not
an effective or necessary piece of
legislation. It would seem
right to ask the House of Lords to pass this amendment at the
Bill’s Report Stage and send the issue back to the House of
Commons.”
MP, co-chair of the All
Party Parliamentary
Group for Ending Homelessness, said:
“By enacting this long
overdue repeal through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts
Bill, there is no additional cost to the Government in time or
public money. There has never been a better opportunity before
the House to put an end to this divisive and outdated piece of
legislation once and for all, whilst also ensuring that the
police have the tools they need to tackle
antisocial behaviour and aggressive begging. I urge
Peers to support these important amendments at the Bill’s Report
Stage.”
