Gypsy and Traveller Communities in the UK

This assignment delves into the experiences of Gypsy and Traveller communities in the UK. It examines the various inequalities they face, particularly regarding housing, employment, and societal perceptions. The document emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing these issues to promote equality and ensure the preservation of their unique culture within British society.

Running head: GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Gypsies and Travelers
It is difficult to define the term Gypsies and travelers since they do not make up a
homogenous group, but instead of different groups with different histories, vultures and
beliefs (like Romany Gypsies, Irish Travelers and Scottish Gypsy Travelers (Comarty 2017).
As per Traveler Movement (2017), the Irish Travelers and Romany Gypsies are indigenous
(minority) ethnic groups, and have been identified as a part of the British and Irish societies
for centuries. The ‘nomadism’ is manifested by their way of life, traditions and culture,
importance of the extended family, their language, and the nature of their economy (Sheila
2015). The travel can also be due to search for jobs or for livelihood.
Census on 2011 in the UK showed 63,000 Gypsies and Travelers, of which, 58,000
were from England and Wales and 4,000 from Scotland and 1,000 from North Ireland
(Comarty 2017).
Figure 1: Places where Gypsies and Travelers live; source: (Comarty 2017)

2HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Figure 2: Number of Gypsies and Irish Travelers per 10,000 people; source: (Comarty 2017)
Inequalities Faced by Gypsies and Travelers (200)
Comarty (2017), points out that Gypsies and Travelers have faced some of the worst
conditions of any ethnic groups on a wide array of social issues. Reports from the Equality
and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have shown multiple instances of inequalities faced
by them. Studies from 2015 indicates a decreased survival chances since the previously
review done on 2010. The main factors contributing to this are deprivation, discrimination
and social exclusion (Green 2017). The Ministerial Working Group set up in November,
2010 aims manage and alleviate the inequalities faced by these groups.
The different issues faced by Gypsies and Travelers are Racial Discrimination, Hate
Crimes, Accommodation, Planning, Healthcare, Education, Employment, Benefits and Tax
Credits and Criminal Justice System. The proceeding paragraphs focuses on how the lack of a

3HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
permanent address and accommodation affects the employability and healthcare of the
Gypsies and Travelers.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is one of the chief contributors to much of the inequalities faced by
Gypsies and Travelers, and if often the source of tension between the settled and travelling
communities. The livelihood within this population can vary between being permanently “on
the road”, or living in mobile homes or caravans, living in temporary settlements, and others
in permanent settlement, but with a strong commitment to the Gypsy culture.
Studies from the 2011 census showed that 76% of gypsies and Travelers lived in
permanent settlements (houses), compared to 24% living in Caravans or temporary
settlements. 34% actually owned or share owned their accommodation, and 41% living in
social or rented accommodation (Comarty 2017). Several households tend to give up the
mobile lifestyle in order to get better access to healthcare and education.
Since 2007, the number of traveler caravans in England has increased by 32% to
reach 22,004 (as of 2017). Out of this most of the caravans are set up on private sites. The
Mobile Homes Act 2013 provided the residents of these sites protection against eviction and
provided rights and responsibilities at par with that of the permanent residents. However, A
concern remains regarding the Environmental conditions prevailing in the sites (like poor
location, proximity to sewage or railway lines, contamination hazards, deteriorating
plumbing, and poor fire safety standards can have negative impact on their wellbeing
(Greenfields and Brindley 2016). Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 provides the statutory
legislature to manage homelessness, and mandates the local authorities to assist individuals or
families who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

4HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Figure 3: Number of Traveler Caravans in England since 1979; source: (Comarty 2017)
Employability Issues
Economic inclusion is almost synonymous with employment, and access to it is one
of the primary measures undertaken by government to ensure social cohesion, wellbeing.
Educational exclusion and illiteracy results in impairment of basic employment skills, and is
a big contributor to the lack of employment faced by Gypsies and Travelers (Greenfeilds
2017).
Census study of 2011 showed that the Irish Travelers or Gypsies having highest
economic inactivity levels and lowest employment rates among all ethnic groups (Arabs
42%, Bangladeshi 48%, Pakistani 49%). 20% of the travelers and gypsies being unemployed
and 25% self-employed, and 31% were looking trying to get settled and 28% have long term
sickness or disability. Also, they were also less likely to be students or being retired. 50% of
this group were economically inactive and 60%among them were looking for home or family,
which shows a significant correlation with their employment status (Ryder 2011).

5HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Figure 4: Reasons for economic inactivity; source: (Comarty 2017)
The 2011 census also shows that 53% of all Gypsy and Irish Travelers are
economically inactive due to retirement, long term disability, looking for home or family,
student and other reasons (ons.gov.uk, 2014). The lack of a home or family and a permanent
address accounts for almost 30% of the economic activity faced by Gypsies and Travelers,
which shows a significance of having a home and an address in acquiring jobs in England and
Wales. Such an issue is having an adverse effect of this group, and alternate ways of
employment for these people should be considered to prevent their economic inactivity.

6HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Figure 5: Reasons for Economic Inactivity; source: (ons.gov.uk, 2014)
Healthcare
Report from 2014 by the Data and Research Working Group of National Inclusion
Health Board (NIHB) showed that the poor health condition of some gypsy/travelers made
them more vulnerable to mortality and morbidity than the general population. For example,
Male Irish Travelers have shown suicide rates that is 6.6 times higher than the general
population, Gypsy of the Thames Valley having a 100 times higher risk of measles. Studies
done by the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths in UK (1997-1999) found the
travelers having the highest risk among all ethnic groups of maternal death. Overall, 42% of

7HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
Gypsies in England have long term conditions, and have an elevated risk of stress, anxiety
and depression.
In many aspects, accommodation (of the lack of it) is a key to understand the challenges, and
inequalities to the access of services and infrastructure faced by Travelers and Gypsies
(Greenfeilds and Brindley 2016). Access to proper accommodations vital to ensure access to
education, health and public services. Additionally, members of this ethnic community are at
ever increasing risks of homelessness and inadequate access to homelessness service, due to
their exclusion from the responses of the local authorities or their duties to this group.
The Travelers and Gypsies are at risk of being driven further and further in poverty,
social exclusion and cultural shock, without access to proper accommodation, the ability to
maintain a lifestyle that can support the communities through the turmoil caused by the
changes due to globalization, fluctuation in markets for employment, financial uncertainty
and changing gender roles. A positive functioning and adaptability fueled by development of
this group can only happen once access to proper accommodation becomes feasible, and can
prevent the sense of insecurity and the need to struggle in order to get access to the various
necessities for living, like water, sanitation, healthcare, education and training/employment
services.
With everything being said about the challenges faced by this group, it can be
established that improving their condition (with providence of proper accommodation,
healthcare and public services) is the best way to preserve their culture that adds to the
cultural diversity of this country.

8HEALTH AND EMPLOYABILITY among GYPSIES AND TRAVELERS
References:
Cemlyn, S., Greenfields, M., Burnett, S., Matthews, Z. and Whitwell, C. (2017). Inequalities
experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities: A review. [online] Dera.ioe.ac.uk.
Available at:
http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/11129/1/12inequalities_experienced_by_gypsy_and_traveller_communit
ies_a_review.pdf [Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].
Cromarty, H. (2017). Gypsies and Travellers. [online] Researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk.
Available at: http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8083/CBP-8083.pdf
[Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].
Green, C. (2017). Discriminating against Gypsies and Travellers is 'common' in Britain.
[online] The Independent. Available at:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/discriminating-against-gypsies-and-
travellers-is-common-across-britain-report-finds-a6919651.html [Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].
Greenfields, M. (2017). Gypsies, Travellers and Gendered Employment. [online] Dmu.ac.uk.
Available at: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/documents/business-and-law-documents/research/cchr/
margaretgreenfieldsgenderandemployment-esrcseminar2.pdf [Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].
Greenfields, M. and Brindley, M. (2016). Impact of insecure accommodation and the living
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Ryder, D. (2011). UK Gypsies and Travellers and the third sector. [online]
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https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/documents/tsrc/working-papers/working-paper-
63.pdf [Accessed 10 Nov. 2017].
Sheila, R.G.N., 2015. Gypsies and Travellers: their history, culture and traditions. Community
Practitioner, 88(1), p.30.
travellermovement.org.uk/ (2017). Home Page - The Traveller Movement. [online] The
Traveller Movement. Available at: http://travellermovement.org.uk/ [Accessed 10 Nov.
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