The Labour Government has officially repealed the Vagrancy Act, a 200-year-old law originally introduced in 1824 that criminalised rough sleeping and begging in the UK. The change took effect today, June 29, 2026, marking a significant shift in homelessness policy.
What the Vagrancy Act Did
The Act previously punished individuals for lacking housing, pushing vulnerable people away from support services and increasing the risk of fines or criminal records. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the law "made it harder for people to rebuild their lives."
Government's New Approach
The repeal is part of the National Plan to End Homelessness, backed by £3.6 billion over the next three years. The plan aims to halve long-term rough sleeping and end the unlawful use of B&B accommodation for families by the end of the Parliament. Additionally, the UK Government will invest £39 billion in social and affordable housing over the next 10 years.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Homeless people are not criminals, they are people who need help. By repealing the outdated Vagrancy Act, we are shifting from punishment to prevention, alongside our investment to tackle homelessness for good.”
Charity and Ministerial Reactions
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern added: “Repealing the Vagrancy Act is a long-overdue step that reflects a modern understanding of homelessness.” She explained that the government is “turning our backs on a centuries old approach” and instead helping people to “rebuild their lives.” She concluded: “Our Plan to End Homelessness will drive that change, helping more people off the streets and into the security of a permanent home.”
Crisis, a national charity for people experiencing homelessness, welcomed the repeal. Chief Executive Matt Downie said it “marks the end of a deeply cruel policy of criminalising people because they are homeless.” He added: “For more than 200 years, the Vagrancy Act has punished people who have been forced to sleep on the streets. This has pushed people in already vulnerable situations away from support services and into the shadows for fear of being penalised. Now, after decades of charities campaigning alongside politicians, law enforcement and people with lived experience of homelessness, we can come together to celebrate the end of this archaic law.”
The government has also urged Brits to use the Streetlink alert system to notify local authorities of anyone rough sleeping in need of support, particularly amid recent rising temperatures.
