1824: With rising numbers of people falling into poverty the Vagrancy Act makes it a criminal offence to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales
2022: MPs vote to repeal the Vagrancy Act but is delayed by the government ‘as part of plans to end rough sleeping for good’
2024: The Criminal Justice Bill introduces powers to fine (up to £2,500), move on or imprison those “intending” to sleep rough or having the :appearance” of having slept rough or “an excessive smell” – prompting one government MP to label it as “even worse than the Vagrancy Act”
