Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people (UK)

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (abbreviated to GRT) is an umbrella term used in the United Kingdom to represent several diverse ethnic groups which have a shared history of nomadism. The Gypsy grouping encompasses Romani people who choose to identify themselves as Gypsies, including those from Romani subgroups that have resided in Britain since the 16th century, the Romanichal, Kale (Welsh Roma) and Scottish Lowland Roma, and those from other Romani subgroups.^[1] The Roma grouping encompasses Romani people who choose to identify themselves as Roma, including those born in the United Kingdom and Romani migrants from Eastern Europe.^[2] Travellers are the traditional travelling people indigenous to Ireland, Scotland or England such as Irish Travellers (Mincéirí), Scottish Travellers and English Travellers.^[1] Although these groups' lifestyles traditionally involved travel, most GRT people now live in houses or permanent caravan berths.

The term GRT is used officially by the British Government and Travellers' Rights organisations, as well as by universities, academics and local authorities. GRT people are protected under the UK's equality of opportunity legislation, however they face frequent discrimination and racism in their dealings with state bodies and the non-GRT community.

GRT people, as a group, are at risk of social exclusion and suffer from disadvantages in education, housing and health.