Do they prove their status?

Controversial plans to expand gypsy and traveller sites! An interesting recent news story, on the council s recommending approval of new sites, to be used only by gypsies ! This raises the question - how do these people prov

Do they prove their status?

Contro versia l plans

to expand gypsy and traveller

sites!

An interesting recent

news story, on the council's

recommending approval of

new sites, to be used "only

by gypsies"!

This raises the question

- how do these people prove

they are gypsies or travellers?

Is there a difference?

Does any official actually

check? What documents

etc, would be examined?

There are, of course,

great benefits to be gained,

both with the dedicated,

welcoming sites as proposed,

or even more

rewarding, when building

illegally on farmland and

open countryside without

any planning permission

or reference to the building

regulations.

Obviously, some of those

thought to qualify could,

in fact, be foreign entrepreneurs

or those down on

their luck, seeking to gain

a financial advantage.

Normally, and correctly,

on claiming any benefits

from the public purse, the

claimant has to prove who

they are and entitlement,

as with child allowance,

unemployment benefit etc.

Name and address

withheld