A BRADFORD MP has spoken out after it emerged the Home Secretary wants to restrict the use of tents by people living on the streets.

The Financial Times previously reported that Suella Braverman has proposed establishing a civil offence to deter charities from giving tents to homeless people.

Organisations could be fined for doing so if it is deemed to have caused a nuisance under the plans being pitched for inclusion in the King’s Speech, which will set out the UK Government’s legislative agenda today. 

The potential law would also seek to prevent the obstruction of shop doorways by rough sleepers who are using tents, the FT said.

She said the Government would always support those who are genuinely homeless, but added: "We cannot allow our streets to be taken over by rows of tents occupied by people, many of them from abroad, living on the streets as a lifestyle choice."

Imran Hussain, Bradford East Labour MP, criticised her comments.

He said: "What distinguishes the British people from this Tory Government is their compassion.

"So let's be clear, homelessness is never a lifestyle choice.

"This is a failing Government trying to distract from their failing record. Don't let them."

Writing on X, Ms Braverman said: "Nobody in Britain should be living in a tent on our streets. There are options for people who don't want to be sleeping rough."

"What I want to stop, and what the law-abiding majority wants us to stop, is those who cause nuisance and distress to other people by pitching tents in public spaces, aggressively begging, stealing, taking drugs, littering and blighting our communities."

Unless action is taken, she said, "British cities will go the way of places in the US like San Francisco and Los Angeles, where weak policies have led to an explosion of crime, drug taking and squalor".