The UK government has repealed the Vagrancy Act, ending almost 200 years of legislation that criminalised rough sleeping and begging in England. The change took effect on Monday alongside the launch of a £3.6 billion ($4.76 billion) National Plan to End Homelessness, which ministers said would support people at risk of homelessness through earlier intervention.
Ministers said the three-year strategy aims to halve long-term rough sleeping and end the unlawful use of bed-and-breakfast accommodation for homeless families before the end of the current Parliament. The plan also aims to replace emergency accommodation with more stable housing wherever possible.
