Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to mitigate the potential effect on Gypsies and Travellers of the Home Office proposals outlined in the consultation, Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments with regard to proposals to (a) criminalise trespass and (b) seize homes.

The Government remains committed to tackling unauthorised encampments. The Home Office will be publishing a full Government response to the consultation on strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments. The Home Office have considered all suggestions carefully, and will take account of the potential effect on settled and nomadic communities, before taking a decision on how to proceed.