You may have seen in the news that in Spring 2026 the Government will be scrapping the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act, which made rough sleeping a criminal offence in England and Wales.
At Launchpad, we welcome this long-overdue change. It’s a vital step toward protecting vulnerable people without penalising them for their circumstances.
The Vagrancy Act, introduced in 1824, was a product of its time. Its use has declined in recent years, but it remains enforceable, casting a shadow over those who are already struggling. Repealing this law is a positive move that shifts the focus from punishment to prevention.
The Government’s new legislation will instead target organised criminal activity, such as gangs exploiting vulnerable people through begging and trespassing. This includes a new offence of “facilitating begging for gain,” which aims to protect individuals who are coerced into begging by others. These are issues we at Launchpad encounter all too often—and we continue to work to support those affected.
We also look forward to the Government’s upcoming homelessness strategy, which we hope will reflect the complex realities of homelessness and the need for long-term, person-centred support.
Su Hamblyn, Launchpad CEO, said:
“No one should be criminalised for sleeping rough. At Launchpad, we focus on tackling the health, housing and wider issues that cause homelessness through our support workers and via the holistic approach we take to rebuild lives at our work and life skills centre.
We support people who may have a history of rough sleeping, have complex mental and physical health issues, or who have fallen on difficult times and found themselves with nowhere to go in an increasingly unaffordable housing market.”
Help Us Continue This Vital Work
At Launchpad, we’re already doing the work that this new legislation aims to support—helping people off the streets, out of danger, and into stable, supported housing. But we can’t do it alone.
Please consider donating today to help us continue supporting Reading’s most vulnerable residents.
Together, we can build a future where no one is criminalised for being homeless—and everyone has a place to call home.
Your donation can help us provide:
- Emergency accommodation and long-term housing support
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Skills training and employment support
- Advocacy and advice for people at risk of eviction