Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 74
74
Accepted
Paragraph: 248
Urgent and Exceptional Payment Scheme fails many Windrush victims due to bureaucratic insensitivity.
Conclusion
The Urgent and Exceptional Payment Scheme was rightly, albeit belatedly, set up to help those who needed immediate financial assistance, including those facing real hardship. However, in too many cases it has failed to do so and it appears to have operated with the same bureaucratic insensitivities as those which led to the Windrush scandal in the first place. It is completely unacceptable that individuals facing hardship due to Home Office failures should continue to be let down and left destitute by the Department while they wait for compensation payments.
Government Response Summary
The government outlines its existing process for providing urgent financial support to individuals facing hardship through the Windrush Help Team and Vulnerable Persons Team, indicating that a separate light-touch process is maintained for rapid assistance.
Paragraph Reference:
248
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The circumstances of individuals’ compensation claim may be complex, and it is important that time is taken in order to consider these carefully and ensure that a correct decision is ultimately reached. We do, however, continue to maintain a separate process by which individuals in urgent need may request (and receive) financial support on a rapid basis. Where an individual is eligible for the Compensation Scheme and believes that they require urgent financial support, they may contact the Windrush Help Team in order to request this. All requests for support are considered in line with our policy on Urgent and Exceptional Payments, which is available on GOV.UK. When considering a request, it is important that we do understand an individual’s circumstances and the reasons why they are applying for support. Our dedicated Vulnerable Persons Team works with individuals in order to establish whether there is a need for urgent financial support. This process is light-touch and entirely separate to the consideration of compensation claims. Some requests which are initially financial can often be resolved with support from the Vulnerable Persons Team, for example signposting a claimant to debt management, assisting with contacting the DWP benefits team or liaising with the housing providers to halt an eviction so that a payment schedule can be arranged. Urgent and exceptional payments have in the past been used to support with costs such as essential furniture, clothing, flights or debt management. There will be circumstances where additional information is required, and we will support further training for our caseworkers and the Help Team to ensure that it is clear to the claimant that by providing as much information as possible at the time of making contact, it will allow us to provide appropriate support as quickly as possible.