Significant ramifications forecast if the UK Government’s new Criminal Justice Bill goes ahead
Plans to reinstate the criminalisation of rough sleeping has sent shockwaves this week.
The Guardian reports nearly 2,500 people have been arrested by police in England and Wales since 2019 under the Vagrancy Act- nearly 500 people arrested since the government pledged to replace the act in 2022. The Vagrancy Act of 1824 states that people sleeping rough in England and Wales could be moved on or fined a maximum of £1,000.
Recent reports now indicate the government plans to replace this 200-year old legislation with new policies in the Criminal Justice Bill, allowing police to fine ‘nuisance’ rough sleepers. Under this definition, ‘excessive noise’ and ‘smells’ are included in what constitutes a ‘nuisance’. The result? Rough sleepers could be asked to move on, fined up to £2,500 or arrested.
The broad definition of ‘nuisance’ indicates the damaging, stigmatised view of what it means to be a person experiencing homelessness remains amongst the decision makers of our country. This is unacceptable. A compassionate, person-centred approach must be taken.
With rough sleeping numbers climbing for a second year running, these threats of criminalisation pose a greater risk to even more people.
This new policy fails to recognise that the lack of genuinely affordable housing and the protracted cost of living crisis are the primary factors contributing to the increase in rough sleeping. Instead, it demonises the person and their apparent decisions.
No one chooses to experience homelessness. Poverty is the central driver pushing people into homelessness. Policies should address and not contribute to this.
At Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, we believe every individual deserves a safe and secure place to eat, sleep and rest. The narrative must focus on structural drivers of homelessness and not centre on individual ‘failings’.
Dealing with the homelessness and housing crisis needs real action. Solutions need to focus on creating real affordable and sustainable homes.
“Homelessness is not a personal choice. It is a political failing.
Criminalising people experiencing street homelessness is not prevention. It increases the risk to people who may have no other options. We must change the narrative. A compassionate approach needs to be taken, recognising the need for genuinely affordable housing and far greater support for the individuals at risk of experiencing or experiencing homelessness.”
No one should be criminalised for experiencing homelessness.
Together, we can end homelessness.