The term 'Gypsy/Travellers' refers to distinct groups – such as Roma, Romany Gypsies, Scottish and Irish Travellers – who consider the travelling lifestyle part of their ethnic identity.
We are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all of Scotland's Gypsy/Travellers, a particularly marginalised group.
Actions
We are:
- improving educational outcomes for Gypsy/Traveller children
- introducing improvements in social care and accommodation for Gypsy/Travellers
- focussing on the above areas based on findings from the 2011 census relating to the needs of Gypsy/Travellers
Background
The 2011 census was the first to include an option for Gypsy/Travellers in the ethnicity category. This means the census has enabled baseline data for Gypsy/Travellers to be developed across a range of areas including accommodation, health, education and employment.
In the census, 4,200 people identified themselves as 'White: Gypsy/Traveller' (it is likely that some chose not to). Organisations that work with Gypsy/Travellers believe Scotland's community comprises 15,000 to 20,000 people.
We are working to ensure equality for Gypsy/Travellers by integrating their needs into policies such as health, education and social services. We make equality considerations part of our everyday work. Find out more about: mainstreaming equality.
On 11 December 2017, we launched the Race Equality Action Plan, which includes a specific section on Gypsy/Travellers. We also established a ministerial working group to take action to improve the lives of Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland. In October 2019 we published Improving the Lives of Gypsy/Travellers jointly with COSLA which includes a number of actions to provide more and better accommodation for Gypsy/Travellers.
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot – Central Enquiry Unit
Phone: 0300 244 4000 – Central Enquiry Unit
Post:
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG