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

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.

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.