Gypsies' £60k benefits for illegal Dale Farm camp - The Sun

GYPSIES at Dale Farm get 60,000 a year in housing and council tax benefits even though their homes are illegal.

It has emerged that 25 families there each collect 832 to 1,025 for council tax and another 988 to 1,300 housing benefit.

It adds up to an annual bonanza of 45,500 to 58,125.

The local authority locked in a bitter eviction battle over the six-acre traveller camp at Crays Hill, Essex has to pay up even though the gypsies are there illegally.

A Basildon Borough Council spokesman said: "Benefits legislation is not linked to planning law and the legality of a home is not linked to benefits."

The council and gypsies return to the High Court today in the latest twist to the legal battle over the camp, set up without planning permission ten years ago. If the council wins, bailiffs may go in tomorrow to start turfing out the 200 travellers and their supporters.

Plans are secret but there could be a dawn swoop and a full-scale battle may develop.

A council insider said: "We are confident of our case."

g.oshea@the-sun.co.uk