Committee publication · Correspondence · 8 July 2026
Letter from the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness to the Chair dated 29 June 2026 concerning the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824
Summary
The Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness informs the Housing Committee Chair that the Vagrancy Act 1824 has been repealed. The Government frames this as ending over 200 years of criminalising rough sleepers, shifting focus to homelessness prevention and earlier intervention. Replacement measures target specific offences including exploitative organised begging and trespass with criminal intent.
Key findings
- Vagrancy Act 1824 has been formally repealed, ending criminalisation of sleeping rough
- Replacement measures are described as narrow and targeted, focusing on exploitative organised begging and trespass with intent to commit crime
- Government emphasises repeal is part of broader A National Plan to End Homelessness, prioritising prevention and earlier intervention
- Government states repeal was implemented responsibly to avoid leaving gaps in law where community safety issues arise
Tone
ProceduralTopics
homelessnesspolicing-and-crimepublic-safetysocial-welfare
Key actors
Alison McGovern MP, Florence Eshalomi MP, Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Notable line
“This Government is drawing a clear line under over 200 years of criminalising people for sleeping rough.”
Key Quotes
“This Government is drawing a clear line under over 200 years of criminalising people for sleeping rough.”
“This change allows us to focus on what really matters - preventing homelessness, intervening earlier and making sure people get the right support at the right time.”
“We have been clear that repeal needed to be implemented responsibly, without leaving gaps in the law where community safety issues arise.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗