Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what progress her Department has made in using the 2011 census classifications that differentiate Gypsies and Travellers.

I refer the Honourable Member for Stretford and Urmston to the answer given by the Right Honourable member for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head in response to PQ3878 which stated:

“The Department does not currently report on Gypsies and Travellers separately. As a relatively small group it can be difficult to obtain reliable data for statistical analysis especially when claimants are not required to give ethnicity. The Department has raised awareness of amongst Jobcentre work coaches regarding the cultural aspects of gypsy / traveller lifestyles.”