Homelessness

Debate between Baroness Taylor of Stevenage and Baroness Kennedy of Cradley

Tuesday 21st January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Lab)]

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, and in doing so declare my interest as a trustee of the Nationwide Foundation.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (Baroness Taylor of Stevenage) (Lab)]

My Lords, we are facing a homelessness crisis in every part of the country, with record levels that have become nothing short of a national disgrace. This Government acknowledge the devastating impact that homelessness has on so many lives. The current situation did not happen overnight; it is the result of long-standing neglect. We are addressing these failures head on with an injection of cash—allocating an extra £233 million to councils directly for homelessness, taking total funding to £1 billion next year—and through the long-term approach of working with mayors and councils across the country. The Government have set up an interministerial group chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister to develop a long-term strategy to put us back on track to ending homelessness.

[Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Lab)]

My Lords, today marks 1,000 days since Royal Ascent was given to repeal the Vagrancy Act. Repealing this outdated law, which punishes people experiencing homelessness and pushes them further away from support, had overwhelming support from every party and every section of your Lordships’ House. Despite this, the last Government, and to date this Government, have not yet commenced repeal, citing concerns over the need for replacement powers, even though the latest report from MHCLG shows that this Act is being used less and less by police forces and that nearly half of them do not use it at all. I ask my noble friend one simple question: when are the Government going to commence the repeal of the Vagrancy Act?

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for her campaigning around homelessness and on this issue. The Government view the Vagrancy Act 1824 as antiquated, cruel and no longer fit for purpose. No one should be criminalised for sleeping rough on the streets. I share her passion for ensuring it is confined to history, where it belongs. We want to ensure we avoid criminalising those who are most vulnerable, while ensuring that police and local authorities have the tools they need to make sure communities feel safe. As we move towards our steps on the Vagrancy Act, we are working closely with the Home Office and local partners. I was pleased that my honourable friend Minister Ali was able to announce yesterday an additional £20 million to deal with severe winter pressures, taking the total to £30 million.