Improving Gypsy/Traveller sites: progress summary

Background / Context

Local authorities are responsible for assessing the accommodation needs of Gypsy/Travellers in their area through the development of a Housing Needs and Demand Assessment and Local Housing Strategy. In 2014 we published revised guidance for Housing Need and Demand Assessments and for Local Housing Strategies. This is to make sure the accommodation needs of Gypsy/Travellers are fully taken into account by councils as they plan accommodation provision in their area.

In December 2017, the Scottish Government launched the Race Equality Action Plan, which includes a specific section on Gypsy/Travellers. The Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities also announced the establishment of a Ministerial Working Group that will take action to improve the lives of Gypsy/Traveller communities across a range of issues. Housing was the subject of the first meeting on 1 February. The Membership of the Group is:

• Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security & Equalities (Chair)
• Minister for Local Government & Housing
• Minister for Childcare and Early Years
• Minister for Employability & Training
• Minister for Public Health & Sport

The Group is tasked with driving forward the agenda, detailed in the action plan. This is informed by the work of the independent Race Equality Adviser, who set out a number of recommendations for Gypsy/Travellers in her report entitled "Addressing Race Inequality: The Way Forward."