Georgian-era "cruel and archaic" rough sleeping laws which have criminalised homelessness for almost 200 years are finally set to be scrapped.
The Government has accepted an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will see the 1824 Vagrancy Act repealed.
It follows a drive by homelessness charity Crisis to get rid of the dated law, which makes it illegal to sleep rough or beg.
Campaigners have long argued the legislation forces homeless people in England and Wales away from help and into the criminal justice system.
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “For almost two hundred years, the criminalisation of homelessness has shamed our society. But now, at long last, the Vagrancy Act’s days are numbered and not a moment too soon.
“This offensive law does nothing to tackle rough sleeping, only entrenching it further in our society by driving people further from support. We know there are better, more effective ways to help people overcome their homelessness.
“We thank the UK government for using the policing bill to finally consign this appalling act to history, where it belongs. We look forward to working with them to finish the job without delay and ensure the criminalisation of destitution is over.
“We are immensely grateful for the tireless work of Peers and MPs from across parties, as well as every Crisis supporter who has got behind our Scrap the Act campaign, who have all brought us to this historic moment.”
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has been among those campaigning for the end of the Act.
He said: "This long overdue reform will reframe the issue of homelessness away from it being a question of criminality, and towards our modern understanding of homelessness as a complex health, housing and social challenge.
"The Vagrancy Act is an archaic piece of legislation which creates a wholly unnecessary obstacle that homeless people must overcome in order to rebuild their lives. I welcome the action that is now being taken to put repeal into law and I urge the government to continue to work with charities, including Crisis, on the detail of its implementation.”
Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, said: “After years of campaigning I am elated that we consigned this archaic and cruel law to history. No one should be criminalised for sleeping rough, especially by a piece of legislation passed in the Georgian era.
“This is testament to the hard work of so many people: the students who first brought the issue to my attention, and to our campaign partners Crisis."
Rough Sleeping and Housing Minister Eddie Hughes, said: “The Vagrancy Act is outdated and needs replacing, and so I’m delighted to announce the government will repeal it in full.
“This is the next step of our action, which has already driven a 37% drop in rough sleeping since 2019 and we will build on this with a strategy setting out how we will end rough sleeping for good, support vulnerable people off the streets and continue to protect communities from crime and antisocial behaviour."
