A CAMPAIGN to reduce discrimination against travellers has been demanded by a Holyrood committee as it found many continue to live in appalling conditions.

A Government-led drive is needed to ensure zero tolerance of discrimination against traveller people, the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee said.

MSPs said they witnessed horrendous conditions at gypsy-traveller sites they visited, such as an overflowing septic tank.

The committee said an existing minister should be given a new role to focus on supporting travellers.

Members also said little appeared to have changed for many travellers, more than a decade on from the first Scottish Parliament inquiry into how they live.

MSPs published their report after taking evidence from travellers and visiting sites in Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Perth, Pitlochry, Oban and Lochgilphead.

The inquiry found tenants on most council sites live in squalid conditions.

The MSPs said: "We were disturbed to see families paying rent to their council were expected to bathe young children in freezing cold amenity blocks with extortionate heating costs, and elderly and disabled people might have to go outside to a toilet block in the middle of a cold night.

They also referred to one site, which had a "putrid overflowing septic tank and a fire hose that could not reach all of the pitches".

They added: "Another site was barely lit at night, with appalling and tokenistic attempts to make adaptations for a profoundly disabled resident and sightings of prowlers in the woods which provided the only place for children to play."

The report also claimed difficulties in finding employment and problems in getting access to health services were among other problems endured by traveller people.

The report said: "We are frustrated to have heard repeatedly the settled community, local authorities and service providers tend towards making negative assumptions about gypsy-travellers' needs.

"The assumptions range from where and how the community prefers to live to how much gypsy-traveller people want to interact with services and with the settled community."

Discrimination against them remains one of the biggest barriers to traveller site development, full provision of healthcare services, education and employment, the report said.

They said: "It is crucial work is carried out both at a local level, to encourage the settled community to accept the gypsy-traveller way of life, and at a national level through a Government-led public awareness campaign to establish a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination against gypsy-travellers.

"Twelve years on from the first Scottish Parliament inquiry into gypsy-traveller life, it is galling to see the appalling situation of many gypsy-travellers is little changed.

"There must be strong leadership at all levels, but the need for a powerful ministerial voice is abundantly clear."

Committee convener Mary Fee reiterated the committee's call for action.

She said: "Having seen for ourselves the appalling conditions gypsy-travellers are expected to live in, despite paying their rent and council tax, it is patently clear to us the time has come for the Scottish Government, Cosla and local authorities to take matters in hand.

"A national strategy to support local authorities on housing strategies for gypsy-travellers and a national awareness campaign to ensure there is a zero tolerance on discrimination against gypsy-travellers must be initiated and led by the Scottish Government.

"We want to ensure action is taken this time around by the Scottish Government, Cosla and local authorities."