Traveller benefits budget is slashed
FUNDING for gypsy and traveller projects is being slashed by two-thirds as the Conservatives and Lib Dem coalition tries to reduce the country’s debts.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has identified £230million of savings, including £30million in grants to build thousands of caravan pitches. While many will welcome the move gypsy and traveller support groups have called the decision “deeply disappointing”.
Under Labour, communities feared councils building traveller sites near them but now those fears will be allayed.
The £30million savings will be made from the HCA’s £45.1million gypsy and traveller programme budget.
A Whitehall insider said: “Just like every other area of government, savings needed to be identified and the HCA has taken steps to reduce its budget. Some of those savings will come from the gypsy and traveller programme.”
Emma Nuttall of Friends, Families and Travellers said the cash was “desperately needed” and described the condition of some sites as “a disgrace”.