The Vagrancy Act (the Act) came into force in 1824 as an effort to criminalise begging and rough sleeping in England and Wales. The Government has announced that the Act will be repealed by Spring 2026.
Although the previous Government announced in 2022 that the Act would be repealed (i.e., revoked), it offered to replace the provisions and did not confirm when this would take place. However, the Government has now taken a decision and announced that the Act will be fully repealed for good by Spring 2026.
This means that rough sleeping will be decriminalised, although the Government has stated that new offences of "facilitating begging for gain" and "trespassing with the intention of committing crime" will be introduced, both of which are covered under the Act.
The news has been welcomed by many, with the Chief Executive of Crisis, Matt Downie, saying:
"This is a landmark moment that will change lives and prevent thousands of people from being pushed into the shadows, away from safety "
The Act has faced criticism over the years for being outdated as it was enacted in response to growing levels of homelessness and poverty during periods following the Napoleonic War and Industrial Revolution. As such, some consider it to have no ongoing relevance in today's society and merely criminalises a person's social status, who would undoubtedly require support.
