Over the last several months there has been a concerning trend of unauthorised encampments around Northampton, as many residents will be all too well aware.
I have written on behalf of residents across town to Northampton Borough Council (NBC) many times and have been in contact with the Chief Constable and the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner. A Police review of their use of powers is now underway. I do not support Labour’s proposal for more official sites for travellers in Northampton.
Northamptonshire Police say that this upward trend of illegal encampments is actually reflective of a national trend. In my role as Deputy Leader of the House of Commons – in which I work alongside the Leader Andrea Leadsom MP (South Northamptonshire) to schedule Government Business – we have heard the issue of traveller encampments raised by MP’s from across the country in the House of Commons.
A debate in the House of Commons has now been scheduled on the issue of travellers in the House of Commons. This will take place on the afternoon of Monday 9th October, which is the first day Parliament resumes after the Party Conferences.
The Leader of the Commons and I very much agreed on the importance of arranging this debate, and I feel that the matter does require serious consideration by Parliament. I am satisfied that all Members of Parliament will now have the opportunity to speak about their constituent’s own experiences and also discuss how we can move forward to deal with this problem.
You will be able to read the transcript of the debate online after it has taken place by clicking on the following website: https://hansard.parliament.uk/.