John Baron MP presses Government on traveller consultation

MP urges Government to open consultation for submissions

In October, during Parliamentary debates on Gypsies and Travellers, the Government announced that a consultation would be forthcoming into the effectiveness of powers to prevent unauthorised encampments and developments. However, despite enquiries from Mr Baron, no date for the opening of the consultation has yet been announced.

Accordingly, last week Mr Baron tabled the following Written Parliamentary Question:

“To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the oral contribution of the Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government on 9 October 2017, what the timetable is for the publication of public consultation into the effectiveness of enforcement procedures against unauthorised encampments and developments.”

This afternoon Heather Wheeler MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published the following response:
“It remains the Government’s intention to publish a consultation on powers for dealing with unauthorised development and encampments. We are working closely with the Home Office and Ministry of Justice in finalising the consultation paper, which we intend to publish shortly.”

Afterwards, John said,

“Whilst the majority of Travellers in our area have good relations with the local community, it is unfortunate that a small minority consider themselves above the law. In too many cases damage has been caused to local amenities, and residents are distressed.”

“I welcomed the Government’s announcement last autumn of a consultation and review into whether powers need redrafting and strengthening, and urge the Government to open the consultation soon. I look forward to making my own submission, and would also encourage residents to do so too.”