The government is facing pushback from its backbenchers over plans to “criminalize” homelessness.

Rebels claim as many as 40 conservative – People from both the left and right of the party – are unwilling to back the government’s criminal justice bill. If also supported by opposition MPs, the 40-member group could easily topple the 53-member government majority.

The bill was first introduced to the House of Commons in November last year and is said to have stalled amid negotiations between the government and MPs.

Latest politics: PM accused of being ‘out of touch with reality’

Sleeping rough is illegal under the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act 1824, although the government voted two years ago to repeal it.

However, it remains in the statute books until a suitable alternative is introduced – which is what the government hopes the Criminal Justice Bill will do.

The bill contains provisions allowing police to forcibly remove rough sleepers, as well as measures such as “non-nuisance orders”.

Although the government claims its aim is to “nuisance beggars” rather than general homelessCharities such as Crisis point out that the definition provided by the government is broad and includes criteria such as sleeping in doorways, producing “excessive odors” or “appearing to be intended to sleep in the street”.

This could lead to people being criminalized “solely because of their appearance or behaviour”.

Conservative MPs have signed amendments aimed at removing those parts of the bill and making other changes.

Bob Blackman, Nickie Aiken, Tracey Crouch, Selaine Saxby, Stephen Hammond ), Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Jo Gideon, Caroline Nokes, Derek Thomas, John Penn Both John Penrose and Damian Green support the changes, although there are said to be around 40 supporters. Total on board.

read more:
Braverman says sleep deprivation is a ‘lifestyle choice’
Sunak asks homeless people if they work in business
Rough sleeping rates soar 27% in UK

Labour, Lib Dems, Greens and Glyde Cymru MPs also expressed support.

The same MPs also backed changes that would force the repeal of the Vagrancy Act if the Criminal Justice Bill comes into force.

“Many colleagues believe the current bill is completely unacceptable because it criminalizes people who have no choice but to sleep rough,” Blackman told The Times.

He added: “We urge ministers to reconsider.”

Mr Green said the amendments set out “practical ways to help get people off the streets” rather than criminalizing them.

Home Office sources told Sky News they were unaware the bill had been suspended for negotiations.

The bill entered committee stage on December 12, where amendments can be proposed, but has not yet returned to the House of Commons for a vote.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Follow Sky News for all the latest news from the UK and around the world

click here

Wherever you get your podcasts, click to subscribe to Sky News Daily

Lib Dem MP Layla Moran said: “The government should listen to its own backbenchers and take a compassionate approach to tackling homelessness rather than stigmatizing and targeting people sleeping rough. conviction.”

Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said: “Government policy should not criminalize rough sleeping, so we are delighted to see the outcome of these far-reaching and damaging proposals which will have no impact on supporting people to stay away The streets are no help. ”