Britain's Shame

Sir Bob Kerslake, the Homes and Communities Agency boss, announced the Site Grant cut “with regret.” Julie Morgan, former MP and chair of the All Parliamentary Committee on Gypsies and Travellers, condemned it as “dreadful. This hits the most vulnerable people in the community.”

Gloria Buckley, MBE, has a waiting list on all the three of her East Anglian sites. “We’ve been consulting with government for years: it’s been like the mating of elephants with all the work we’ve done. For Government to cut the funds now is a tragedy. I say shame on them.”

The £45m budget was slashed after £15m was earmarked for sites in places including Corby, Bromsgrove, Barnsley and Gateshead. Ryalla Duffy supported the successful £1.2m bid for the 21-pitch Summersgang Lane, West Lindsey. “I’m relieved about Summersgang, but to cut £30m, the whole of the year’s budget, is devastating when you look at all the talks we’ve held.”

Maggie Smith-Bendell (pictured) has helped people with planning for years. “We’re absolutely shocked. I get two or three calls a day from people desperate for somewhere legal to live. What terrifies me is that more and more people are going to end up on the side of the road.”

Ryalla appealed for direct talks with Government. “They speak of family values, community cohesion and fairness: there’s a lot they can learn from us.”