A 200-year-old-law making rough sleeping a crime in England and Wales has been scrapped by the Government.
The Vagrancy Act was introduced in 1824 in response to the rising levels of homelessness after the Napoleonic Wars and Industrial Revolution.
While its use has declined over the years, it was still enforceable in law.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: ‘We are drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice towards some of the most vulnerable in society, who deserve dignity and support.
‘No one should ever be criminalised simply for sleeping rough and by scrapping this cruel and outdated law, we are making sure that can never happen again.’
The Government plans to introduce new legislation that will target organised begging by gangs and trespassing, a statement said.
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