Overview

This bill seeks to completely abolish the Vagrancy Act 1824 and remove all related provisions from other legislation. The aim is to repeal outdated and arguably discriminatory laws.

Description

The Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill repeals the Vagrancy Act 1824 in its entirety. This 1824 Act is considered archaic and has been criticised for its potential for discriminatory enforcement. The bill also makes consequential amendments to other acts of Parliament to remove references to or reliance on the repealed Vagrancy Act. Specifically, it repeals relevant sections within the Criminal Justice Act 1982, the Criminal Justice Act 1967, the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, and the Mental Health Act 1983. These amendments ensure that the repeal of the 1824 Act is complete and avoids legal inconsistencies.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant impact on government spending. The repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 will eliminate the associated costs of enforcement, but these are likely to be minimal. No specific figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

The repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 could positively affect vulnerable groups who were disproportionately targeted under the Act. This includes homeless individuals, travelers and those perceived as socially marginalized. Law enforcement agencies will also be affected as they will no longer be able to use the Vagrancy Act in their work.

Powered by nyModel