Liberal Democrat MP will today [29/01/2020] urge
the Government to adopt her legislation this year and "finally
scrap the Vagrancy Act" during a homelessness debate in
Parliament.
The MP will warn that "even one person sleeping rough in this
country in 2020 is a disgrace” as she brings back to Parliament her
campaign to scrap the Vagrancy Act.
is also expected
to warn against the "out of sight, out of mind mentality’”
shown in the installation of a new gate close to MPs’ and peers’
private entrance to Westminster tube station.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Liberal Democrat MP said:
“Even one person sleeping rough in this country in 2020 is a
disgrace. We need to be taking a more compassionate approach
to tackling this crisis. The Vagrancy Act, a Dickensian law from
1824 that criminalises rough sleeping, represents the first
hurdle on that journey.
“According to a new survey commissioned by the charity Crisis,
71% of people think arresting people for sleeping rough is a
waste of police time. Over half said that it shouldn’t be a crime
at all, and of course it shouldn’t!
“Liberal Democrats want to make 2020 the year that we finally
scrap the Vagrancy Act. Ministers should be in no doubt, my Bill
can be brought back in a heartbeat with their support.
"Frankly, if there was a sizeable amount of political will in
this House to spend £500,000 to make Big Ben bong for Brexit,
then I firmly believe that there must be the will to repeal this
law and work harder to eliminate homelessness in all its forms."
ENDS.
Notes for editors:
New statistics from Crisis show that a majority of people (71%)
think arresting people for sleeping rough is a waste of police
time, with over half stating rough sleeping should not be
considered a crime at all. Their full media release
is here.
Layla’s Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill from the last parliament can be
viewed here.
The Opposition Day debate on homelessness will take place in the
chamber of the House of Commons tomorrow afternoon.
