The CLG Count distinguishes between socially rented authorised sites, private authorised sites, and unauthorised sites. Unauthorised sites are broken down as to whether the sites are tolerated by the council or are subject to enforcement action. The analysis in this chapter includes data from January 2012 to January 2014. It distinguishes between socially rented and private authorised sites, and unauthorised sites. Population The total Gypsy and Traveller population living in the UK is unknown, with estimates for England ranging from 90,000 and 120,000 (1994) to 300,000 (2006). There are uncertainties partly because of the number of different definitions that exist, but mainly because of an almost total lack of information about the numbers of Gypsies and Travellers now living in bricks and mortar accommodation. Estimates produced for the CLG suggest that at least 50% of the overall Gypsy and Traveller population are now living in permanent housing. Local authorities in England provide a count of Gypsy and Traveller caravans in January and July each year for the CLG. The January 2014 Count (the most recent figures available) indicated a total of 19,503 caravans. Applying an assumed three person per caravan multiplier would give a population of over 58,000. Again, applying an assumed multiplier of three persons per caravan and doubling this to allow for the numbers of Gypsies and Travellers in housing, gives a total population of around 116,000 for England. However, given the limitations of the data this figure can only be very approximate, and is likely to be a significant underestimate. For the first time, the national census, undertaken in 2011, included the category of ‘Gypsy or Irish in the question regarding ethnic identity. The 2011 Census suggests there Traveller’ are 542 Gypsies and Travellers living in the study area representing around 0.07% of the usual resident population. This compares with the survey results (see Chapter 6) which represented 534 Gypsies and Travellers living on authorised and unauthorised sites within the study area. National and regional levels Given that one of the distinctive characteristics of the population is its mobility, it is first necessary to consider the national situation as this will help place the study area in context. Figure 4.1 shows the absolute number of caravans. It can be seen that in January 2014 the South West contained the third largest number of caravans of any English region.
The CLG Count distinguishes between socially rented authorised sites, private authorised sites, and unauthorised sites. Unauthorised sites are broken down as to whether the sites are tolerated by the council or are subject to enforcement action. The analysis in this chapter includes data from January 2012 to January 2014. It distinguishes between socially rented and private authorised sites, and unauthorised sites. Population The total Gypsy and Traveller population living in the UK is unknown, with estimates for England ranging from 90,000 and 120,000 (1994) to 300,000 (2006). There are uncertainties partly because of the number of different definitions that exist, but mainly because of an almost total lack of information about the numbers of Gypsies and Travellers now living in bricks and mortar accommodation. Estimates produced for the CLG suggest that at least 50% of the overall Gypsy and Traveller population are now living in permanent housing. Local authorities in England provide a count of Gypsy and Traveller caravans in January and July each year for the CLG. The January 2014 Count (the most recent figures available) indicated a total of 19,503 caravans. Applying an assumed three person per caravan multiplier would give a population of over 58,000. Again, applying an assumed multiplier of three persons per caravan and doubling this to allow for the numbers of Gypsies and Travellers in housing, gives a total population of around 116,000 for England. However, given the limitations of the data this figure can only be very approximate, and is likely to be a significant underestimate. For the first time, the national census, undertaken in 2011, included the category of ‘Gypsy or Irish Traveller’ in the question regarding ethnic identity. The 2011 Census suggests there are 542 Gypsies and Travellers living in the study area representing around 0.07% of the usual resident population. This compares with the survey results (see Chapter 6) which represented 534 Gypsies and Travellers living on authorised and unauthorised sites within the study area. National and regional levels Given that one of the distinctive characteristics of the population is its mobility, it is first necessary to consider the national situation as this will help place the study area in context. Figure 4.1 shows the absolute number of caravans. It can be seen that in January 2014 the South West contained the third largest number of caravans of any English region.
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