To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will take account of the findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report Assessing local housing authorities’ progress in meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities in England, and particularly the conclusion that it would take responding authorities an average of ten years to meet the pitch requirements specified for a five-year period if temporary planning permissions are taken into account, or 18 years if only permanent permissions are considered. [HL3890]

The Government welcome the report by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission report Simple Solutions for Living Together. The commission's findings reinforce the Government's view that, where there is evidence of need for Gypsy and Traveller sites, local authorities should press ahead with identifying appropriate locations where they could be sited. The provision of authorised sites will help to reduce unauthorised camping and thereby help to reduce community tensions and the costs of enforcement action.