The Irish Traveller Movement in Britain (ITMB) believes Conservative plans to criminalise unauthorised Traveller sites would prove counterproductive and unfeasible for the Traveller community, wider society and Local Authorities. While Conservative trespass policy will enable Local Authorities and Police to evict and arrest Travellers living on unauthorised sites it fails to address the wider issue of a national shortage of sites for Travellers, as highlighted in the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA). Local Authorities and Police in Britain already spend approximately £18 million annually evicting Travellers from unauthorised sites, yet an example of good practice in meeting Travellers accommodation needs in Bristol has reduced the City Councils bill for Traveller evictions from £200,000 to £5000 annually.
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The Conservatives brash proposals may in fact cost Local Authorities and Police forces more money while promoting conflict and undermining community cohesion. More importantly such policy will negatively impact on the Traveller community’s position as one of the most deprived groups in Britain in terms of health and education. The life expectancy for Traveller men and women is ten years lower than the national average while Traveller mothers are twenty times more likely than mothers in the rest of the population to have experienced the death of a child. Forced eviction and insecure accommodation under proposed Conservative policy would undoubtedly exacerbate these already unacceptable figures.
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For further information on the Traveller community contact info@irishtraveller.org.uk
