Dozens of Conservative MPs have revealed that they plan to vote against the government’s Criminal Justice Bill, which would criminalise “nuisance rough sleeping and begging”.

The proposed legislation would give police the authority to fine or move on individuals who are begging or rough sleeping if they are deemed to be causing a “nuisance to the public”.

The government’s Criminal Justice Bill, due to be voted on before the general election, aims to replace the Vagrancy Act 1824 “with a modern suite of enforcement powers”.