The UK government finds itself embroiled in a contentious battle over its proposed legislation to address homelessness as it faces internal dissent from its backbenchers regarding plans to “criminalise” homelessness. The heart of the matter lies in the Criminal Justice Bill, which aims to replace the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act of 1824—a law that currently deems rough sleeping illegal.
Despite the government’s previous vote in favour of repealing the Vagrancy Act two years ago, rough sleeping remains an offence under this archaic law. The new Criminal Justice Bill introduces provisions that empower police officers to forcibly move rough sleepers and includes measures like “nuisance prevention orders.” However, the devil lies in the details: the government’s definition of “nuisance begging” is broad and encompasses behaviours such as sleeping in doorways, emitting an “excessive smell,” or merely appearing as if one intends to sleep on the streets.
