Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Policing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

Monday 26 February 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Nickie Aiken asked about the potential impact of the Criminal Justice Bill on policing homelessness and rough sleeping, expressing concern that it could criminalise rough sleepers.
  • The Minister responded that the Bill targets specific types of rough sleeping causing a nuisance, not general rough sleeping, and that the Government are committed to ending rough sleeping with significant investment.
  • Mike Amesbury inquired why the focus is not on providing support and building houses instead of criminalising homeless individuals, noting a 75% increase in rough sleeping since 2010.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nickie Aiken
Justice & Courts Housing
Context

The MP noted the increasing presence of rough sleepers in their constituency, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current legislation.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Criminal Justice Bill on policing homelessness and rough sleeping? The police already have powers to move rough sleepers under multiple pieces of legislation but are failing to use them. Does the Minister understand my concern that what is suggested in the Criminal Justice Bill criminalises rough sleepers without offering help?

Answer from Chris Philp

The Government are committed to ending rough sleeping with significant investment. Rough sleeping levels have decreased by 35% since 2017. The provisions in the Criminal Justice Bill target specific types of rough sleeping causing a nuisance rather than criminalising it broadly. However, the Government are willing to review and narrow these provisions to ensure that support is offered first.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the questioner's specific concern about criminalisation without providing help.

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Q2 Nickie Aiken
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Housing
Context

The MP observed several rough sleepers during their walk to the parliamentary session, raising concerns about existing legislation's effectiveness.

Question

Does the Minister understand my concern that what is suggested in the Criminal Justice Bill criminalises rough sleepers and does nothing to help them? The police already have powers under multiple pieces of legislation but are failing to use them effectively.

Answer from Chris Philp

The powers listed from existing legislation differ from those in the Criminal Justice Bill. The Bill targets nuisance-causing rough sleeping, not general rough sleeping. However, the Government are willing to review provisions to ensure they are narrowly drawn and use criminal sanctions only as a last resort.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address the concern about the failure to provide support beyond criminalisation.

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Q3 Mike Amesbury Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Housing
Context

The MP noted the significant increase in rough sleeping since 2010, raising concerns about current legislation's effectiveness.

Question

Given that rough sleeping has increased by 75% since 2010, should we not focus on providing support and building houses rather than criminalising people for being homeless?

Answer from Chris Philp

The Government are offering comprehensive packages to address homelessness. Rough sleeping has decreased by 35% since 2017 and by 28% before the pandemic in 2019. The provisions in the Bill aim to be narrowly defined, using criminal sanctions only as a last resort where rough sleeping disrupts business operations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the questioner's concern about focusing on support and housing construction rather than criminalisation.

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