Developing Solutions for Traveller and Gypsy Communities:
Improving Inclusion and Living Standards
Central London
Tuesday 8th October 2019
Event Details Event Brochure Website Register to Attend
In July 2017, there were 3,721 caravans on unauthorised sites and of these, 2,197 caravans were on land occupied by Travellers (House of Commons Library 2018). This poses a challenge for local authorities, as does overcoming the substantial disadvantages faced by traveller communities. Traveller men on average live 15 years less than men in the general population, and Travellers also have the lowest level of employment of any ethnic group (Pavee Point 2019).
Following the 2017 Race Disparity Audit, the Government provided 6 charities with £200,000 to improve the living conditions of gypsies and travellers. Since 2012, the Ministerial Working Group on Tackling Inequalities Experienced by Gypsies and Travellers has additionally worked to increase parliamentary awareness of traveller problems and to better solve the policy issues affecting them. Despite the recommendations of the Ministerial Group, a lack of Governmental drive or funding has led to many suggestions not being implemented. Many travellers continue to be excluded from key services, with a report by Friends Families and Travellers highlighting the difficulty many face trying to register with a GP.
This symposium therefore offers local authorities, law enforcement agencies, Traveller community representatives and other key stakeholders an invaluable opportunity to discuss the challenges facing Traveller and Gypsy communities, and what policies can be implemented to improve their quality of life.
Delegates Will:
- Learn the provisions available to local councils for tackling illegal encampments after the recent Government consultation
- Discuss the best approaches for improving Traveller employability and getting them involved in the workforce
- Analyse the challenges Travellers face in accessing healthcare and how to overcome this
- Debate the impact of the EU’s National Roma Integration strategy and how Brexit will impact on policy related to Traveller communities
- Consider approaches to foster greater understanding of Traveller culture amongst the settled community
- Assess methods of ensuring that Travellers have safe housing which protects their wellbeing
- Analyse the impact of Universal Credit on Traveller finances and how to improve their financial security
- Discuss the challenges facing Traveller education and how it can be used to improve their life prospects
To view our brochure, including the full event programme, click here.
We would like to advise you that we offer a 20% reduction off the standard delegate registration fee (subject to type of organisation and terms and conditions) for registrations received by the 30th August 2019. Do feel free to circulate this information to relevant colleagues within your organisation.
In the meantime, to ensure your organisation is represented, please register online or complete and return the attached registration form at your earliest convenience in order to secure your delegate place(s).