West End clergy unite against government plans to ‘criminalise the poorest in society'
Fifteen churches warn 'no one should be punished for begging'
Friday, 12th April 2024 — By Tom Foot
WEST End’s clergy have united in condemning government plans they say will “criminalise the poorest in our society”.
Fifteen Christian clergy from Mayfair, Soho, Covent Garden and Bloomsbury have signed a joint letter calling on constituency MPs Sir Keir Starmer and Nickie Aiken to protect vulnerable rough sleep- ers. The letter says the Criminal Justice Bill being proposed would see homeless people jailed.
Fr Dominic Robinson, chair of the Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, said: “When this new legislation to criminalise the homeless was proposed the clergy across the West End of London were of one voice in expressing their horror and disbelief and demanding to be consulted.
“It is clear to us all who serve on the ground, in parishes and churches of different traditions, that rough sleeping is a complex matter which deserves an integrated response.
“This response needs to see the homeless we serve in our parishes not as people to be punished for begging; but which treats the poorest of our flock with care and respect for their human dignity.”
Churches with signatories include the American International Church in Tottenham Court Road, Farm Street Church in Mayfair, St Anne’s in Soho, Notre Dame de France in Leicester Square, St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square, Grosvenor Chapel in Mayfair, St Giles-in-the- Fields in St Giles, St Paul’s in Covent Garden, St George’s Hanover Square in Mayfair, the French Protestant Church in Soho, Crown Court Church of Scotland in Covent Garden, Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, House of St Barnabas in Soho, Bloomsbury Central Baptist, St James’s Piccadilly and St Pancras, Euston Road.
They wrote: “We are extremely concerned that the definition of ‘public nuisance’ in this bill is poorly defined and open to broad interpretation by the police and local authorities.
“Equally, we are concerned by the scope of the powers in this bill allowing the police and local authorities to ‘address’ rough sleeping.
“The penalty proposed for breaching these offences of £2,500 or one month in prison is in no way proportionate and risks criminalising and jailing some of the most vulnerable people in our parishes.”
Promises from the home office about measures that would be brought in to help the homeless did not stand up to scrutiny, the letter said, and added: “The bill, however, contains nothing that would increase support for rough sleepers and contains no new additional funding for these services as far as we can see.”
The Cities of London and Westminster Conservative MP Ms Aiken said she was also “deeply concerned” by the changes being proposed by her government.
She told Extra: “I was proud to lead the campaign to repeal the Vagrancy Act, ensuring rough sleepers are no longer criminalised for sleeping on the street.
“I am, therefore, deeply concerned by clauses introduced by the previous home secretary [Suella Braverman] in the Criminal Justice Bill which would criminalise ‘nuisance’ rough sleeping.
“I’m working with my fellow Conservative MPs and Crisis and have brought amendments to the bill so that those sleeping rough are supported and have access to the services they need and deserve.
“We have support from colleagues across the Conservative party, and I hope the government will pull their clauses.”
The home office argues the measures will tackle rough sleeping and begging “where it causes damage, disruption, harassment or distress to the public, while avoiding criminalising the genuinely vulnerable”.
A home office spokesperson said: “The bill concentrates on behaviour that is anti-social, including causing environmental damage such as with excessive noise or litter. No one will be criminalised for simply having nowhere to live.”
