The Bishop of St Albans asked a question on provisions for encampment sites for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Community during a discussion on discrimination against these groups on 25th March 2021:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans [V]: Research published by the FFT in January 2021 found that there were only 59 permanent and 42 transit pitches available across England. In response to the new police and crime Bill and proposals to allow for greater enforcement against unauthorised encampments, what provisions are being made to provide authorised sites for the GRT community? I am happy for the Minister to write to me if he does not have the figures to hand.
Lord Greenhalgh (Con): My Lords, Part 4 of the Bill essentially seeks to make something that is a civil offence into a criminal offence. It is based on a similar change in law undertaken in the Republic of Ireland some years ago. I will write to the right reverend Prelate with the specific figures, but looking at transit site provision in addition to the 356 transit pitches that exist will be part of the upcoming cross-Whitehall GRT strategy.
The Church of England in Parliament 
You must be logged in to post a comment.