To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he has taken to help support local authorities in tackling aggressive begging.

Begging is a complex issue, though where it causes a nuisance or distress to communities, local areas need appropriate tools to maintain community safety.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gives police and local authorities flexible powers to act where behaviour causes harassment, alarm or distress. These powers should be used where that threshold is met, including aggressive begging.

We have also committed to update statutory guidance on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to provide more certainty on how these powers can be applied to different scenarios. The Statutory guidance will be updated and published in advance of the implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour measures in the Crime and Policing Act 2026.

Finally, Government is also introducing measures through the Crime and Policing Act 2026 to tackle exploitative organised begging, targeting those who profit from others and helping keep communities safe.