Petition · past parliament
To prevent councils from finingnthe homeless erecting tents.
Rejected
21 signatures
What the petition asks
Many councils, such as Stoke-on-Trent City Council, are planning to fine the homeless (£1,000) for erecting tents, donated by charities to shelter from the cold. The impact of this plan will:
(A) criminalise the most vulnerable in our society
(B) clog up our legal system with cases
(A) criminalise the most vulnerable in our society
(B) clog up our legal system with cases
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
We can't accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for the issue you raise. This decision is the responsibility of local councils.
In any case, it appears that the local council in the specific case you are concerned about has decided not to do this. You can find out more here:
https://www.localgov.co.uk/Council-scraps-plans-to-fine-rough-sleepers-using-tents/44290
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-42138993
If you'd like councils not to be able to make this decision, you could start a new petition asking Parliament to change the law.
In any case, it appears that the local council in the specific case you are concerned about has decided not to do this. You can find out more here:
https://www.localgov.co.uk/Council-scraps-plans-to-fine-rough-sleepers-using-tents/44290
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-42138993
If you'd like councils not to be able to make this decision, you could start a new petition asking Parliament to change the law.
Timeline
| 24 Nov 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 1 Dec 2017 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
21
Status
Rejected
Rejected
1 Dec 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.