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Travellers: Coronavirus

Question for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

UIN HL2922, tabled on 25 March 2020

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there is protection from eviction for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answered on

1 April 2020

The Government takes the welfare of all citizens seriously and we are working hard to ensure those most at risk are identified and supported including those in GRT communities who will be receiving support alongside others.

The Government is also holding regular discussions with community representatives to understand issues faced and are looking into what guidance and support is required for Local authorities, who have a responsibility to look after vulnerable groups.

We are sending a clear message to landlords that they should do everything possible to avoid evictions – particularly where households are facing hardship as a result of coronavirus.

Where a person’s main home is on a camp site or caravan park, those sites can stay open.

We are urgently introducing emergency legislation to protect tenants in social and private accommodation from an eviction process being started and are considering what further action may be appropriate. In the meantime, we are urging the landlords of those on licences to follow the same guidance to work with renters who may be facing hardship as a result of Covid-19.