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Legislation

Over the years there has been a wide range of legislative measures, which have attempted to stop Gypsy people and Irish Travellers from leading a nomadic life and therefore from actually existing.

Measures date back as far as 1530 with the introduction of the “Egyptian act”, which was a ban on the immigration of Gypsies and also expelled those already in England. More recent examples of legislation include:

  • Highway and Byways Act 1959, which effectively criminalized the Travelling life overnight as families were not allowed to stop on the side of the road.
  • The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act of 1960. Many families who had got to know farmers over the years were displaced by this Act, since farmers could no longer allow them to stay on their land, as they became eligible for fines if they technically ran a site without a valid site licence.
  • The 1968 Caravan Site Act led to the creation of sites by local authorities, but unfortunately many authorities flouted the law and did not build the sites that were needed.
  • The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 swept the 1968 Caravan Sites Act away again criminalizing this way of life. This act also gave the Police increased powers including the right to impound vehicles if there were more then six. Guidelines issued to local authorities emphasised that before an eviction was carried out health, educational and social needs must be taken into account.
  • The Race Relations Act 1976 and the RRAA Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 generally applies to the fields of employment, planning, housing, the exercise of public functions (both by public authorities and also private bodies exercising public functions, for example, privately-run prisons), the provision of goods, facilities and services and education. English Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recognised ethnic groups in the UK for the purposes of the Race Relations Act (1976), identified as having a shared culture, language and beliefs.
  • Directive 2000/43/EC implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin.
  • Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation.

About this section.

Part of the text in this culture and history section comes from "Guidebook for Health and Other Professionals" from Waltham Forest Traveller Education Service, itself modified from the Finnish model “The Roma and health services” - Guide for health professionals, 2nd renewed edition 2000, produced and created by the National Board of Education, Finland.

Our thanks go to them for allowing us to use the information in support of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month.