Overview
- The government removed the 1824 Vagrancy Act from the statute book on 29 June 2026, ending criminal penalties for sleeping rough and begging in England and Wales.
- Ministers tied the repeal to a National Plan backed by £3.6 billion over three years and a £39 billion ten‑year commitment to social and affordable housing, plus a £159 million grant for supported housing.
- Officials said existing anti‑social behaviour laws will still be used to address aggressive conduct and the Crime and Policing Act 2026 creates specific offences to prosecute organised begging gangs and exploitation.
- Charities hailed the move but warned success depends on local delivery of housing and support; reporting notes over 12,000 convictions under the Vagrancy Act from 2013 to 2023 as context for the change.
- The immediate test will be implementation: local authorities must update statutory guidance, allocate new funding, and show progress on targets such as halving long‑term rough sleeping.