A report examined the way housing benefit rules operated for Gypsy and Traveller site rents in England, Scotland and Wales; and considered options for change. The existing system was viewed as unfair by county councils, because it did not take into account the true costs of managing a Gypsy and Traveller site.
Source: Michael Wagstaff, A Single Housing Benefit Control for Gypsy and Traveller Sites, Research Report 379, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report
Date: 2006-Oct
The race equality watchdog launched a new statutory code of practice on racial equality in housing, which came into force on 1 October 2006. Separate versions were published for England, Scotland, and Wales.
Source: Statutory Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Housing, Commission for Racial Equality (020 7939 0000)
Links: Code (England) | Code (Scotland) | Code (Wales) | Code (Welsh language) | CRE press release
Date: 2006-Oct
A Member of Parliament introduced a Bill designed to give security of tenure for Gypsies and Travellers on local authority caravan sites.
Source: Caravan Sites (Security of Tenure) Bill, Julie Morgan MP, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2006-Jul
Local authorities called for new measures to put an end to 4,000 unauthorized Gypsy and Traveller sites. By providing the Gypsy and Traveller community with sufficient authorized sites, the spread of unauthorized encampments would be stopped, and relationships between communities would be improved. Once the encampments were located on authorized sites, councils would be able to ensure that travelling communities paid council tax for the services they used.
Source: Report of the LGA Gypsy and Traveller Task Group, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000)
Links: Report | LGA press release
Date: 2006-Jun
The race equality watchdog said that Travellers and Gypsies should be given more legal sites in England and Wales, in order to reduce racial tensions and cut the multimillion-pound annual eviction bill. Providing 500 acres of land was the only "sustainable solution" to unwanted camps.
Source: Common Ground: Equality, good race relations and sites for Gypsies and Irish Travellers, Commission for Racial Equality (020 7939 0000)
Links: Report | Summary | CRE press release | LGA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-May
A Member of Parliament introduced a Bill designed to stop travellers with caravans moving onto land without permission by making trespass with a vehicle a criminal offence.
Source: Trespassing with a Vehicle (Offences) Bill, Jim Paice MP, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2006-Mar
A family of Gypsies lost their appeal against eviction from a public recreation ground. The Law Lords ruled that they had not established the links with the place that were needed for it to be considered the family's home within the meaning of the European human rights convention.
Source: Leeds City Council v. Price and others and others, UKHL 10 (Session 2005-06), House of Lords Judicial Office (020 7219 3111)
Links: Text of judgement | Law report | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Mar
A report examined access to housing advice for older people in black and minority ethnic communities. It highlighted the fact that this group was often among the most socially excluded in society, without access to the advice, information or advocacy they needed. It called for advice resources to be developed and the joining-up of services to provide integrated support.
Source: Who Do We Trust? Review of the housing advice needs of black and minority ethnic elders, Help the Aged (020 7278 1114)
Links: Summary
Date: 2006-Feb
The government published guidance on planning and enforcement to address the shortage of authorized sites for gypsies and travellers, and strengthen enforcement against 'problem' sites. The government said that a new taskgroup would draw together local authorities, the police, and other agencies to address the wide variations in the use of enforcement powers and to champion best practice.
Source: Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Press release 2 February 2006, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 3000)
Links: Guidance | ODPM press release | LGA press release | Guardian report
Date: 2006-Feb