Scrapping the archaic Vagrancy Act: England and Wales finally ditch street sleeping ban
- Written by: Jessica Kroell
- Est. Reading Time: 2 Min
Abolition of the "Vagrancy Act" in England and Wales. - Law Repeal in England and Wales: Criminalization of Homelessness Eliminated
Get ready to catch some much-needed shut-eye without fear of getting hauled away – the UK Government announced on June 10, 2025, its intention to repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act, a relic of the Napoleonic Wars and Industrial Revolution, that criminalized street sleeping in England and Wales.
Back then, men returning from war and multitudes of job-seeking city dwellers struggled to find shelter amidst housing shortages. Caught flashing some Z's in public? Expect fines or, worse, jail time. But the number of prosecutions and convictions using the 1824 law has thankfully plummeted in the last decade. Only 79 prosecutions and 59 convictions took place in 2023, compared to 1,050 prosecutions and 810 convictions in 2011.
"It's high time we put an end to almost 200 years of judicial discrimination," stated UK Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. "It's simply inhumane to criminalize someone for seeking warmth and rest on the streets. This repeal marks the end of an era, ensuring there is no chance of this cruel practice reemerging."
The Conservative government initially pledged to annul the Vagrancy Act in 2022, planning to introduce a new law instead. Yet, the effort was delayed in the lead-up to the 2023 parliamentary elections.
The repeal won't go into effect until Spring 2026. It's part of the UK's broader campaign to streamline antiquated laws, focusing on tackling organized crimes such as facilitated begging and intentional trespassing, rather than penalizing vulnerable individuals.
Sources:
- Government statement
- BBC
Related Topics:
- Homelessness
- England
- Wales
- Law reform
- Spring (2026)
- Men
- Great Britain
- Vagrancy Act
- Decriminalization
- Organized crime
- Begging
- Trespassing
- EC countries could implement employment policies that focus on addressing homelessness, recognizing the Vagrancy Act repeal in England and Wales as a significant step in alleviating street sleeping.
- In the context of the repeal of the Vagrancy Act, a comprehensive health-and-wellness approach could be incorporated into employment policies, ensuring that the physical and mental well-being of the homeless is prioritized and considered during the job search and placement process.
