On Sunday 3rd November, Home Secretary Priti Patel announced that the government is to begin consulting on making trespass a criminal offence. Friends Families and Travellers response: “We completely oppose the Home Office announcement of a consultation on criminalising trespass. It is clear that the proposals would have a devastating impact on Gypsy and Traveller … Read more
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On Friday 13th July, a High Court Judge ruled that Hillingdon Council’s Social Housing Allocation Policy was discriminatory against Travellers. In order to join the social housing register, Hillingdon Council required households to have been living in the borough continuously for at least ten years. Three Irish Traveller claimants successfully challenged the housing policy, highlighting … Read more
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As part of an ongoing campaign around social care, outreach staff and caseworkers from FFT have created a guide for advocates who are supporting Gypsy and Traveller families experiencing Children’s Services intervention. The guide contains an analysis of difficulties which may be experienced by Gypsy and Traveller families when engaging with Children’s Services and follows … Read more
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Every four and a half years United Nations member states have their human rights records analysed as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. It was the UK Government’s turn in 2017. We submitted a report to the UN highlighting some of the issues Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities face in the UK and … Read more
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If you have had a recent planning decision made by the Secretary of State about land in the Green Belt you should seek legal advice or contact FFT as you may have a good case for challenging the decision-as long as you act quickly. Marc Willers QC Garden Court Chambers Meeting the accommodation needs … Read more
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What the Government was supposed to do The European Commission asked all member states to produce a Roma Integration Strategy. The UK Government declined to do this but instead set up a Ministerial Working Group chaired by Eric Pickles MP. That Group published a ‘Progress Report’ in April 2012, but has been notably silent since … Read more
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FFT and Community Law Partnership have written a discussion paper on The Association Of Chief Police Officers Guidance On Unauthorised Encampments 2011 The paper makes the following recommendations: Removal directions under either section 61 or section 62A-E should always be in writing and contain a quote from the relevant legislation; It is already clear in the … Read more
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Since April 1st 2013, when the Legal Aid Act came into force, the Travellers Advice Team (TAT) have seen a marked reduction in calls to their advice line. Having talked to a few callers, they are concerned that this may be because of an impression that legal aid is not available any longer. However, legal … Read more
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Lawyers say ‘Business as usual’ Many Travellers Times readers will have seen mention in the media of the bringing into force of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 on 1st April 2013. There has been a lot of concern over the detrimental effects of the cuts to legal aid and … Read more
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