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Travellers: Equality

Question for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

UIN HL8633, tabled on 13 June 2018

To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the publication of the End of Mission Statement of the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance at the Conclusion of Her Mission to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in May, what assessment they have made of the lack of teachers from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities, the over-representation of GRT children in secure training centres, and the lack of data on the experience of GRT persons in the criminal justice system.

Answered on

21 June 2018

The Government is concerned about the inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, particularly in health and education. The Race Disparity Audit identified that Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities are amongst the most disadvantaged groups in British society and we are committed to do more to make sure nobody in this country is excluded or left behind.

The United Kingdom has a close working relationship with United Nations bodies and a standing invitation to all Special Rapporteurs, and is committed to upholding the rule of law and the rules-based international system. The Government welcomed the Special Rapporteur’s visit, and will provide further information to the Special Rapporteur as necessary. We will respond to the Special Rapporteur’s country visit findings, conclusions and recommendations when these are presented to the Human Rights Council.