Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

That this House celebrates Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, recognising the rich cultural heritage, histories and contributions of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across the UK; notes the significant inequalities these communities continue to face, including high rates of school exclusion, discrimination in spatial planning and planning enforcement, and barriers to accessing health, financial and justice services; believes that meaningful Government engagement with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities is essential to developing policies that deliver real change, including addressing the chronic shortage of transit and permanent pitches which forces families into unauthorised encampments; recognises that music is central to the cultural identity of many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and that the ability to move freely to perform is integral to that tradition, yet travelling musicians and performers face significant barriers in pursuing their craft; expresses deep concern at comments made by senior politicians who, during Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, have made sweeping and demeaning generalisations about these communities, including that they are able to break laws that no one else would get away with; believes that such language is unacceptable, risks causing real division and is contrary to the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance that strongly recommends that politicians avoid implying that people sharing a protected characteristic are collectively responsible for a social problem; and calls on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to tackling discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.