Published 7 April 2022
Last updated 28 November 2023 — See all updates
Government response to the
consultation on replacement legislation for the Vagrancy
Act
Detail of outcome
This is a response to the government consultation on effective
replacement for the Vagrancy Act 1824 which covered England and
Wales. The consultation sought views on the replacement of
offences previously held in the Vagrancy Act.
Original consultation Summary
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is
consulting on proposed replacement legislation for the Vagrancy
Act.
This consultation ran from
7 April 2022 to 11:45pm on 5 May 2022
Consultation description
This consultation seeks views on the replacement of offences
previously held in the Vagrancy Act. This covers the following
areas:
a. How to replace the offences in the Vagrancy Act which prohibit
begging in an appropriate way that prioritises getting
individuals into support.
b. How we can make sure that replacement legislation on begging
supports the right environment in which to deliver effective
services and to engage with vulnerable people constructively.
c. What other changes – either legislative or non-legislative –
should be considered to better equip police, local authorities,
and other agencies to engage with people who are rough sleeping
and to encourage them into support.
Documents
Review of the Vagrancy
Act: consultation on effective replacement
