Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 49
49
Accepted
Paragraph: 176
Home Office lacks clarity on 'impact on life' awards determination and tariff guidance.
Conclusion
The Home Office must provide greater clarity about how impact on life awards are determined and should issue clear guidance on how different types of impact and levels of harm correspond to each tariff level.
Government Response Summary
The government outlines the 'Impact on Life' compensation category, stating that its determination is based on 5 levels of increasing severity and duration, with publicly available casework guidance defining how awards are considered.
Paragraph Reference:
176
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The ‘Impact on Life’ category is specifically designed to cover the non-financial impacts individuals may have faced as a result of being unable to demonstrate their lawful status, including a deterioration in physical or mental health. This category is awarded in a series of levels with payments ranging from £10,000 for detriment where the effect on an individual was short-lived, and up to £100,000 plus where the effect on an individual was profound and likely to be irreversible. Under the changes we made to the Scheme in December, those eligible under the terms of the Scheme will receive a minimum Impact on Life payment of £10,000. Compensation under this category is awarded in a series of 5 levels recognising increasing duration and severity of impacts. Casework guidance is publicly available which defines how Impact on Life awards are considered: Windrush Compensation Scheme (publishing.service.gov.uk)