This funding, part of Scotland’s first long-term national housing strategy, will enable local authorities to improve existing sites and expand provision over the next five years. This builds on £2m allocated to site improvement in 2020-21.

It comes as the timeline to complete the range of actions from the Gypsy/Traveller Action Plan has been extended by 18 months, due to the impact of coronavirus restrictions. This includes continuing work to improve access to public services such as health and education, better engage with member of the Gypsy and Traveller community and tackle negative attitudes towards them.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, equalities secretary, said: “A key commitment in the Action Plan was for the Scottish Government and COSLA to review housing and investment programmes to ensure the needs of Gypsy/Travellers were included going forward. I am delighted to announce that up to £20 million will be made available over the next five years for more and better Gypsy/Traveller accommodation as part of Housing 2040, Scotland’s first long-term national housing strategy.

“The Gypsy Traveller Action Plan outlines the commitment of both the Scottish Government and COSLA to work together to improve the lives of Gypsy/Travellers. We have made some good progress and want to offer heartfelt thanks to all the community members who worked with us to develop the plan, and to take forward some of the actions.

“While we are still committed to delivering all the actions in the plan, we know that more time is needed because of delays caused by COVID-19. The Scottish Government and COSLA have therefore agreed to extend the life of the plan.

“It will now run for an extra 18 months and end in October 2022. This gives us the opportunity to follow up on actions that cannot take place until restrictions lift and prevents us from losing the momentum we’ve gained during the pandemic.”