'Revolt' over move to fine the homeless

Published date02 April 2024
Publication titleEvening Chronicle
According to the Times newspaper, senior Government sources have said the Bill has been "paused" while ministers negotiate with MPs from both the left and right of the Conservative Party concerned about the plans

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake, meanwhile, appeared reluctant to say whether he supported the Bill as it stands, telling broadcasters it was "not within my auspices".

He also emphasised it was important the Government used a raft of support measures to prevent rough sleeping and said he was interested to see what Rishi Sunak has planned.

Conservative former ministers Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Damian Green are among those who have signed a series of amendments to the Bill aimed at countering the drive to criminalise rough sleeping.

Measures tabled by Tory MP Bob

Blackman (Harrow East) would seek to ensure ministers fulfil their promise to repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824, the law which currently criminalises rough sleeping and begging.

The Government promised to do so when it passed the Police, Crime, Sentencing and...

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