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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendation of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that the UK should “develop a comprehensive strategy, in consultation with members of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities” to improve outcomes in housing and employment.

The Government is concerned about the inequalities experienced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The Race Disparity Audit has shown us these groups are amongst the most disadvantaged in British society. We are committed to do more to ensure nobody is excluded or left behind. The UK Government supports efforts at international level to further the integration of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, including through the United Nations International Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (UN ICERD), on which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government leads.

The Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper, published in March, invites views on the Government’s vision for building strong integrated communities where people – whatever their background – live, work, learn and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities. We encourage all groups, including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, to engage with the Green Paper.