SOUTH Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the Government’s pledge to scrap a pre-Victorian law which prohibits being homeless.
The Vagrancy Act, which was passed by Parliament back in 1824, can potentially see people being fined £1,000 and given a criminal record for sleeping on the streets or begging.
Mr Farron is a co-sponsor of a new Parliamentary Bill introduced by fellow Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, which would repeal the Vagrancy Act.
He said: “The Vagrancy Act is an utterly outrageous and outdated law which shames our country. I’m pleased to see the minister acknowledge this, but we need more than warm words – we need action. Let’s consign this disgraceful Act to the history books where it belongs and focus getting people off the streets and into a home so they can live with dignity.”
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