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Vagrancy Act 1824

Asked by Layla MoranLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 13 October 2025UIN 77598

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824.

Answered by Alison McGovern

It is unacceptable that the antiquated Vagrancy Act 1824 remains on our statute book. The legislation does nothing to target the root causes of homelessness. That is why we are committed to repealing this punitive legislation.

We will commence the repeal once replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill come into force next year.

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