Funding of £10 million financed for councils to enhance accommodation sites for Gypsies and Travellers
The UK government has announced a significant investment of £10 million to upgrade Traveller sites across England. This funding, distributed to nine councils by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, aims to address the national shortage of legal sites for Travellers and improve living conditions for residents.
The refurbishment of sites includes upgrading electrical equipment, giving residents greater control over their energy bills and site running costs. This investment is expected to help reduce enforcement costs for councils and assist in redirecting Travellers from unauthorized sites.
One of the sites receiving funding is the Leighton Street Traveller site in Preston, which will receive £337,220 for refurbishment and improvement. The improvements range from rebuilding infrastructure to providing new facilities, including stabling for horses, improved utilities, and play areas for children.
Councils are also using the funding to refurbish existing transit and permanent sites. This includes upgrading facilities such as toilets, showers, and waste disposal systems, as well as improving access to essential services like healthcare.
The government's investment in Traveller sites is part of a broader effort to address the challenges faced by Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities, who are among the most deprived in the country. These communities often face lower life expectancy and lowest attainment in compulsory schooling compared to the general population.
Dehenna Davison, Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, stated that the funding is intended to support councils in improving Travellers' life chances and building cohesion between settled and traveller communities.
However, the government has faced criticism due to recent legal crackdowns, making it a criminal offence to set up camp illegally. Previously, such camps were considered a civil matter.
Many councils are reluctant to provide legal sites for Travellers, leading to a national shortage. This new funding is intended to improve legal transit sites, providing authorized places for travellers to stay and better access to facilities and services such as healthcare.
This investment in Traveller sites is expected to contribute to the Levelling Up agenda, aimed at improving opportunities for communities across the country. By improving living conditions for Travellers and providing authorized sites, the government hopes to reduce the number of unauthorized encampments in England.
Councils receiving funding include Kent, Lancaster, Cornwall, Swindon, and Preston. The funding is expected to have a positive impact on these communities, improving their living conditions and contributing to a more cohesive society.
