Politics · United Kingdom · 21 hrs ago
Scottish ministers consider reparations for Traveller families
The Scottish Government is considering compensation for Traveller families affected by past policies aimed at settling Gypsy and Traveller communities.
In the 1940s, families were housed in poor-quality Nissen huts, including at Bobbin Mill in Perthshire, and some children were removed from their families.
First Minister John Swinney apologised last year, and a university-commissioned report described the scheme as “cultural genocide.”
Ministers say the effects may continue through intergenerational trauma and inherited disadvantage, but have not decided whether to pay compensation.
Officials say they must work out who could qualify and what evidence would be needed.
Historic Environment Scotland offered to explore preserving Bobbin Mill, but residents turned down the offer; the wider question of redress remains under consideration.
Scottish ministers are considering whether to provide redress, potentially including cash compensation, to Traveller families affected by historic policies.
The policies included housing Traveller families in wartime Nissen huts and removing some children from their families.
Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said the effects continue for some people through intergenerational trauma, inherited disadvantage and barriers.
The Scottish Government said possible redress raises questions about eligibility, scope and evidence.
Historic Environment Scotland offered to explore preserving the Bobbin Mill camp in Perthshire, but residents turned down the offer.
- Who
- The Scottish Government is considering redress for people affected by historic policies and their descendants.
- What
- Ministers are considering possible redress, including cash compensation; no decision to pay compensation is stated.
- When
- Ministers raised the issue in a letter to MSPs published on Friday. First Minister John Swinney apologised last year.
- Where
- Scotland, including the Bobbin Mill camp near Pitlochry in Perthshire.
- Why
- The policies included efforts to integrate Travellers into mainstream society, and some people continue to experience their effects.
Scottish Government ministers
Scottish Conservative and Reform critics
Redress
Scottish Government ministers
Ministers say redress remains part of their consideration of a report’s findings.
Scottish Conservative and Reform critics
Critics say taxpayers should not fund reparations for historical events.
Public spending
Scottish Government ministers
Ministers say potential arrangements raise complex questions about scope, eligibility and evidence.
Scottish Conservative and Reform critics
Critics argue public money should be directed to practical concerns and public services.
First Minister John Swinney made a formal apology to Travellers.
The Scottish Human Rights Commission said the apology did not go far enough and called for transformative reparations, including financial compensation.
Equalities Minister Simita Kumar wrote to MSPs that redress remained under consideration and said Bobbin Mill residents had turned down an offer to explore preserving the site.
- Possible redress
- Cash compensation is being considered, not confirmed.
- Historic site
- Bobbin Mill camp near Pitlochry, Perthshire.
- Camp offer
- Residents turned down Historic Environment Scotland’s offer to explore options for preserving the site.
- Past housing
- Nissen huts were used to house Travellers in the 1940s.
- Upgrade spending
- Ministers spent £20 million over the past five years to upgrade local authority Traveller sites in Scotland.
What people are saying
I recognise the significance of questions relating to redress for some of those affected, and this remains part of our wider consideration of the report’s findings.
Taxpayers shouldn’t be paying reparations for historical events from decades ago, purely to pander to fringe extremists.
Sending taxpayers the bill for reparations over decisions taken eighty years ago is pure political self-indulgence.
The apologies are vital, but it is not enough on its own.