Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 9 November 2015 to Question 14704, what plans his Department has to review and enhance the powers contained in the Public Order Act 1994 to award local authorities greater ability to remove illegal traveller camps without recourse to the courts.

Local authorities and the police have a range of strong powers that enable them to take action against unauthorised encampments and developments. As my predecessor outlined in the Answer to the Hon. Member dated 9 November 2015 (Question 14704), a summary of these powers was sent to all council leaders, Police and Crime Commissioners and Police Chief Constables in March 2015:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/418139/150326_Dealing_with_illegal_and_unauthorised_encampments_-_final.pdf

The Government is open to suggestions for how enforcement could be strengthened and continues to keep this issue under review.