Plan B Forum

A benefits form which grouped Gypsies, travellers and the Cornish together is being withdrawn after complaints.



The tick box for ethnic backgrounds was included in a Cornwall Council housing form.

Liberal Democrat group deputy leader Alex Folkes said: "Being a gypsy and traveller or being Cornish are two different things."

Cornwall Council said it was "inappropriate wording" and a "genuine error" which had been rectified.

Mr Folkes wrote in his blog: "Some people will suggest it is offensive. And they are right. Not because being likened to a gypsy or traveller is an insult. It isn't.

"But because the two backgrounds are so entirely different.

"What Cornwall Council has done in designing this form is to create a 'bucket' category for anyone who doesn't appear to fit into 'normal' definitions.

"It's offensive to Cornish people and offensive to gypsies and travellers."

"It's offensive to Cornish people and offensive to gypsies and travellers."