UK Plans to Scrap 200-Year-Old Rough Sleeping Law, Boost Homelessness Funding

The UK government has confirmed it will repeal the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act by spring 2026, a law that criminalises rough sleeping and has been widely criticised as outdated and dehumanising. Homelessness charities across the country have welcomed this decision as a long-overdue and symbolic step toward ending the criminalisation of people experiencing homelessness, emphasizing that no one should be punished for being in crisis or having nowhere to go. The government plans to instead focus on targeting organised begging gangs and trespassing while boosting funding for homelessness services by an additional £233 million, bringing total investment for 2025-26 to nearly £1 billion. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner highlighted that this move draws a line under centuries of injustice and prioritizes dignity and support for vulnerable populations. Local councils and charity leaders have praised the increased funding, which aims not only to provide safe accommodation but also to address the root causes of homelessness such as employment loss and relationship breakdowns. Homeless Link, a key advocate for the repeal, stressed the importance of monitoring new police powers replacing the Act to ensure they do not negatively impact rough sleepers or the services supporting them.