William Eichler 24 December 2018

Labour promises to repeal nineteenth-century Vagrancy Act

The Labour Party has announced that they plan to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 which criminalises begging and rough sleeping.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and shadow housing minister Melanie Onn say that the priority should be to support, not criminalise, those who are sleeping rough or begging.

The Vagrancy Act was used to bring a criminal charge nearly 3,000 times in 2016 with offences under the act commanding a fine of up to £1,000 and leaving those convicted under it with a two year criminal record.

Labour insists that the nineteenth-century legislation is unnecessary for dealing with anti-social behaviour as a number of other civil measures exist in modern legislation, including civil injunctions and criminal behaviour orders.

‘It should shame us all that rough sleeping has doubled in the last eight years and nearly 600 people died while homeless last year. Homeless people need help, not punishment,’ said Mr Corbyn.

‘The next Labour government will make ending homelessness a priority. We want to build a society which doesn’t walk by on the other side when we see someone in need.’

Ms. Onn commented: ‘It beggars belief that we still use Georgian-era laws to criminalise some of the most vulnerable in society.

‘Treating rough sleepers as criminals does not solve the underlying causes of homelessness and makes it harder for them to access support to move away from the streets.

‘Rather than criminalising rough sleepers Labour would support them, with 8,000 new homes available to those with a history of rough sleeping as part of a plan to eradicate rough sleeping within five years.’

According to the homelessness charity Crisis, over 12,000 people are sleeping rough this Christmas.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Administrative Support Officers

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 - £25,992
WHAT IS INVOLVED The Administrative Support Officers will provide administration support to both The Adult Protection (AP) Team and the Deprivation Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Work Assistant - ASET

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060
We are looking for someone who has experience and knowledge in working with young people who are at risk of / or are homeless and supporting them to m Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Schools - Teaching

Durham County Council
M1 - M6 £31,650 - £43,607
Full Time KS2 Teacher Main Pay Scale M1 to M6 Suitable for ECTs To commence September 2025   The Governing Body and Headteacher are seeking to appoint Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Office Manager

Durham County Council
£27,269 - £30,060 pro rata
Office Manager Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 pro rata Full Time, Term Time + 2 Weeks Permanent Required from 1st September 2025 or as soon as possible Si Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teaching Assistant Apprentice

Durham County Council
£7.55 per hour
2 x Teaching Assistant Apprentices  Required from Monday 1st September for 21 months (or less if apprenticeship is completed). 37 hours per week, term Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner