Minister sits on fence over plans to fine rough sleepers
A SERVING minister has refused to say whether he supports the Government’s proposals to criminalise rough sleeping.
Kevin Hollinrake, a business minister, did not confirm whether he personally backed plans in the Criminal Justice Bill which would allow the police to fine or move on “nuisance” rough sleepers.
Speaking on Times Radio, Mr Hollinrake said that he would be “interested” to see whether the legislation would go through when MPS vote on it in the coming months.
When asked whether he would back the Bill as it stands, Mr Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said “those things are not within my auspices”.
He added: “I’ll be interested to see the legislation as it goes through. And what the Prime Minister has planned.”
Mr Hollinrake also said the reform, which would give police the power to fine or move on “nuisance” rough sleepers, was “just part” of an attempt to get people off the streets.
He said: “That’s just part of the things we’re looking to do in terms of making sure that people don’t sleep on the streets and that’s not right.
“We want to provide the resources for people, housing, improving the number of refuges people can sleep in, and the amount of social housing and affordable housing, which we’ve done.” When asked if it was right to arrest someone for so-called nuisance rough sleeping, he said: “The most important thing is we provide the resources to get people off the streets. And there should be those places where people can go to.
“If there are places that people can go to off the streets, then those people should be off the streets.
“They shouldn’t be lying on the streets. It’s not fair to other people in our town or city centres.”
The Bill, introduced to Parliament by then-home secretary Suella Braverman, is expected to face a revolt from both Tory and Labour MPS.