Gypsies and Travellers in uproar over proposals to redefine their ethnic status

Gypsies and Travellers protest in Hackney over government proposals. Photograph: LGTU

Gypsies and Travellers in Hackney have been protesting over the government’s “insulting” proposals to change the definition of their ethnic status.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has been consulting on changing planning policy, proposing that only those with “genuine nomadic lifestyles” should be treated as Travellers.

But the Hackney-based London Gypsy and Traveller Unit (LGTU), who staged a protest outside the DCLG last week, argue that Gypsies and Travellers have often been “forced into bricks and mortar” due to a lack of site and pitch provision.

Another group working within the communities said the changes would “redefine the travellers and gypsies out of existence”.

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: “We are suggesting in our consultation that Travellers who have settled and permanently stopped travelling should be treated in the same way as all other members of the settled community, whilst those with genuinely nomadic lifestyles should continue to be treated as Travellers in planning law. This is just common sense.”

Forced to settle

The LGTU, who launched the campaign We Still Count to raise awareness about the proposals, told the Hackney Citizen that Gypsy and Traveller communities were “horrified”.

Debbie Kennett, Joint CEO of LGTU, said: “From the communities’ point of view people are pretty insulted, they feel like the government is redefining who they are.”

“It’s also an easy way out for Councils who have been dragging their feet on providing sites – if they can now do a recount [on the numbers of Gypsies and Travellers in the borough] .”

Ms Kennet argued that the proposals ignore that many Gypsies and Travellers are “forced into bricks and mortar” and also said she was concerned that communities would no longer be counted in local authorities’ accommodation needs assessments.

“If they exclude those who have been settled in a house or a site and only include those who are travelling, they will be bringing the numbers down to zero,” she said.

Matthew Brindley, Policy and Research Manager at the Traveller Movement, a national charity that works in partnership with Gypsy and Traveller communities, said the proposals would “redefine Travellers and Gypsies out of existence”.

Mr Brindley said: “As a national charity we strongly disagree with the government’s proposals, which will essentially redefine the Travellers and Gypsies out of existence, by not recognising the long held tradition of living in caravans.”

“A key aspect in terms of identity, which communities wish to maintain, is living in a caravan on a Gypsy or Traveller site. Whilst they may not travel, and they might no longer be nomadic on a regular basis, it is a part of tradition. This is what the government is planning to deny them, and in doing so they are essentially scrapping the heart of Gypsy and Traveller community.”