The cost of providing educational support for children from traveller families has tripled in the last five years.

Brighton and Hove City Council revealed that it spent nearly £60,000 in the last financial year on its traveller education service compared with just £19,000 in 2006/7 following a freedom of information request by The Argus.

Opposition councillors said the figures raised questions about official claims that traveller numbers had remained constant in the city and said it indicated that traveller- associated costs would continue to rise.

In 2009/10 the service helped to assist 54 pupils from traveller families compared with 40 pupils two years earlier.

Figures for how many pupils were assisted in the last financial year are currently unavailable.

The Traveller Education Service is run in conjunction with East Sussex County Council and aims to help families and pupils find school places, assist with student inclusion and achievement and give guidance on race awareness to schools.

The service consists of two teachers providing additional support to traveller children but can rise to four depending on the number of pupils and the level of support they require.

In the last financial year clean-up costs of more than £100,000 and security costs of £85,000 were paid in relation to traveller communities.

Conservative councillor Tony Janio alleged that the current Green administration has tried to silence councillors speaking out on traveller issues.

He said: “It is an indication that the cost of travellers is going to spiral upwards.

“I think the money spent needs to be looked at and kept in check, which I think it is at the moment.

“The money is better spent on the children rather than removing bollards to allow them to park on public land and it is beneficial to keep these children within a schooled environment.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “Every child is entitled to education, and traveller children are no different.

“Travellers, who have a right to pursue a nomadic way of life, suffer a high level of inequality, particularly around life expectancy, health, education, discrimination and racial hatred.

“Like all public bodies, the council has responsibilities to the men, women and children within this community and these include important services such as healthcare and education.”