Gypsy-Travellers describe struggle

Feb 7 2013

Gypsy-Travellers have described the struggle they face accessing essential services, including what was called a critical problem with secondary education.

Eleven people shared their experiences with MSPs at the Scottish Parliament as part of an inquiry into where travellers live.

Almost all of them described being refused access to doctors, dentists and some council services, including school. Other concerns ranged from harassment, poor portrayal by media, a lack of available pitches and inadequate site management.

One participant, Georgia McCann, who lives in the Forfar area, said: "My daughter's 15 and she's only had two weeks secondary education. The reason for that is back to the basic thing: discrimination."

The problem leads to a breakdown in trust with the settled community and knock-on difficulties gaining employment, she said.

Others backed her experience, saying that while children attended primary school, few made it through secondary.

Alex Johnstone, a Conservative MSP on the committee, said a clear picture is emerging. He was among the committee members that visited a travellers' site at Clinterty near Aberdeen on Monday. "Regardless of how difficult things may be in terms of primary education, there is an absolutely critical problem in terms of inclusion in secondary education," he said.

Iona Burke, from Aberdeen, said there are problems with local authorities, highlighting Gypsy-Traveller liaison officers. "Everything we need comes from somewhere else - they need to get permission," she said. "Liaison officers don't do anything to help. You're not getting bins, you're not getting toilets, you're not getting anything you need."

Fiona Townsley, who lives on the Double Dykes site in Perth, was among a number of people to write in advance to the committee with her concerns. "I think the attitude of the council is very poor to travellers, especially travellers who stand up for their rights and try to improve things. The council can be very harassing," she wrote.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said the authority does not discuss the circumstances of individual tenants. "However, we would say that the council enjoys an open and productive relationship with the vast majority of people who live at Double Dykes," the spokesman said in a statement. "If residents have any issues or concerns about the site, we are always happy to listen."