A Law Against Travellers

The Government’s proposals as presented by the Department of the Environment

Squall 4, April/May 1993, pg. 5.

• To criminalise the parking of a caravan on land without the owners consent.

• To criminalise the parking of a caravan by highways or on common ground.

• The confiscation of the homes of those who flout the new law. With return only granted if the person/persons have found other accommodation.

• The removal of the duty of local councils to provide sites for Gypsys and Travellers. (Despite having a statutory duty to do so, only 38% of local authorities have fulfilled their obligation. They have had since 1968 to comply.)

• More attention paid to the new, stricter planning controls that require official permission to park a caravan, even if the landowner consents or the person actually owns the land.

• To “encourage” Gypsys and Travellers to enter formal education and to rent settled accommodation.

• To leave any provision for Travellers’ needs to the discretion of local authorities. The 100% grants designed to assist provision will no-longer be available.