Memorandum submitted by Friends, Families and Travellers (E 06)

 

Comments on the Equality Bill

 

We are a national charity working on behalf of Gypsies and Travellers, now generally recognised as being the most marginalised and socially excluded of all BME groups in UK society today.

 

We are concerned that, in seeking to address socio-economic disadvantage, too much emphasis may be placed on geographically-based definitions of socio-economic disadvantage - a particular housing estate or a particular deprived area for example. This would then fail to address the inequalities experienced by those chronically excluded groups, such as Gypsies and Travellers, that are not so defined. Our concern is that, in tackling particular aspects of socio economic disadvantage, certain chronically excluded groups may be left even further behind. Our contention is that unless we recognise and take specific steps to address the phenomenon of 'chronic exclusion' (where certain groups can remain totally untouched by programmes and initiatives aimed at equality, empowerment, personal choice etc) then the inequalities experienced by those groups will become comparatively greater, and we will never achieve a fair, just and cohesive society.

 

June 2009