“Lawyers have branded as ‘headline-grabbing’ and unnecessary the introduction of a new criminal offence of squatting, warning that it could harm vulnerable people. But the government is unrepentant, declaring that the move signals the end of ‘squatters’ rights’.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 31st August 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Homeowners are to receive better protection as squatting in residential buildings becomes a criminal offence for the first time in England and Wales from tomorrow, 1 September, Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said.”
Ministry of Justice, 31st August 2012
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“Squatting in a residential building in England and Wales becomes a criminal offence on Saturday, meaning squatters would face jail or a fine.”
BBC News, 31st August 2012
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“A group of squatters who set up a community garden project on private land close to Heathrow Airport have failed in a court bid to stay.”
BBC News, 18th July 2012
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
“The cost of a new law to further criminalise squatting could run to almost 20 times official estimates, wiping out government legal aid budget savings, according to the findings of a newly published report.”
The Guardian, 16th March 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Protesters occupying an empty office complex in the City of London owned by the bank UBS can stay until at least January, after a legal victory.”
BBC News, 19th December 2011
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Protesters occupying an empty office complex owned by a bank are set to take their fight to remain to the Court of Appeal. A High Court judge today refused to overturn a ‘possession order’ granted to investment bank UBS, which owns the complex in the City of London.”
The Independent, 7th December 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Squatting in residential buildings is to become a criminal offence for the first time, the Government has announced.”
OUT-LAW.com, 1st November 2011
Source: www.out-law.com
“Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced tough measures to better protect people from intruders, dangerous criminals and excessive no-win no-fee legal costs.”
Ministry of Justice, 26th October 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“Hugh Muir examines whether home owners need more protection from squatters – and what effect criminalisation will have on the homeless.”
The Guardian, 6th October 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The Government has been urged not to criminalise squatting after a report found it would lead to an increase in some of the most vulnerable homeless people sleeping rough.”
The Independent, 4th October 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Prisoners should carry out work while in jail as part of the process of tackling the growing ‘feral underclass’, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said today.”
The Independent, 4th October 2011
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Government proposals to criminalise squatting may also outlaw occupation-style protests and sit-ins, student leaders, trades unionists and lawyers have said.”
The Guardian, 2nd October 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Letter from 160 leading legal figures says law change is not needed and accuses ministers of fostering ‘ill-informed debate’.”
The Guardian, 25th September 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Squatters are not criminals and could be good for society, a judge has ruled in ordering a London council to make public a list of empty homes in its area.”
Daily Telegraph, 6th September 2011
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
“Options for dealing with squatters – impact assessment.”
Ministry of Justice, 13th July 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“The government’s own impact assessment of plans to criminalise squatting has acknowledged that it could boost homelessness and rough sleeping, and target those who are already suffering from mental health and addiction problems.”
The Guardian, 13th July 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“A new crime of squatting was proposed today by Justice Minister Crispin Blunt. Making it an offence for the first time, and abolishing so-called ‘squatters rights’ are among a range of proposals to deal with the problem which would protect both home and business owners.”
Ministry of Justice, 13th July 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“The prime minister’s confirmation that the government will be bringing forward legislation for the criminalisation of trespass and the proposed removal of removal of legal aid from trespassers in the legal aid, sentencing and punishment of offenders bill amount to the most significant changes to the law of trespass in England and Wales for generations.”
The Guardian, 13th July 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Squatters will no longer get legal aid to fight home owners trying to evict them from their properties, under proposals set out in the Sentencing, Legal Aid and Punishment of Offenders Bill which has it’s second reading in the House of Commons today.”
Ministry of Justice, 29th June 2011
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
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