The UK Government's proposal to criminalise rough sleeping through its Criminal Justice Bill has sparked significant backlash, with concerns that it could lead to fines of up to £2,500 or imprisonment for those found sleeping on the streets. This move has led to growing pressure on the government, with reports of potential rebellion from up to 40 Tory MPs. Despite the controversy, the government has defended the bill, stating it does not intend to criminalise homeless people. However, critics, including a coalition of 37 organisations led by YMCA and Homeless Link, have written to Home Secretary James Cleverly, urging a reconsideration of the proposals. They argue that the bill could stigmatise and penalise the homeless without offering additional support, making it harder to provide help to those in need.
Alongside 36 other organisations, YMCA has written to Home Secretary @jamescleverly urging him to reconsider damaging proposals to fine and imprison people forced to sleep on our streets. https://t.co/MVBpLME4ez #CriminalJusticeBill
Threatening people sleeping rough with fines and prison will stigmatise those of us facing homelessness and make it harder to provide support. Join us and @crisis_uk and contact your MP urging them to stand against these plans. https://t.co/myQuAFV2h5
Alongside 36 other organisations, we have written to the Home Secretary @jamescleverly urging him to reconsider proposals to fine and imprison people forced to sleep on our streets #CriminalJusticeBill. https://t.co/cx0BrtLyC6
Very much wondering if Govt understand their own Bill. It enforces against people if they look like they're 'intending to sleep rough'. They have said there will be no additional support for people. It will criminalise rough sleeping & we need those parts removed from the Bill https://t.co/0HCyteHocZ
Government insists it 'will not criminalise' homeless people after bill backlash Read more 🔗 https://t.co/NZw7JYDt0U
Pressure grows on government over rough sleeping clampdown https://t.co/qd5DxQnTNb
The Government has plans to criminalise rough sleeping in its Criminal Justice Bill. This would mean that anyone who has become homeless and is sleeping on the streets could be fined up to £2,500 or even jailed. @Victoria_Spratt details how as many as 40 Tory MPs may rebel https://t.co/M4k3Ew0jB3