Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 88
88
Accepted
Urgently address fundamental problems within the Windrush Compensation Scheme
Recommendation
We welcome the personal commitment expressed by the Home Secretary to the operation of the scheme and the improvements that have been made to the scheme over time; however, these changes have taken far too long and have not gone far enough. Our report shows that there are still fundamental problems that have yet to be addressed. The problems with the Windrush Compensation Scheme are not insurmountable. We have been humbled by the dignity and the determination of those with direct experience of the issues who have contributed to our inquiry and by The Windrush Compensation Scheme 101 their willingness to assist with the identification of areas which can be improved, for the benefit of others. To demonstrate its commitment both to helping the Windrush generation and to transforming its culture, the Home Office must act urgently to address issues with the Windrush Compensation Scheme. (Paragraph 277) 102 The Windrush Compensation Scheme
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the need to do more to rebuild trust and address issues, detailing ongoing engagement and outreach efforts through community leaders, surgeries, the Windrush Working Group, and the Windrush Community Fund, and committing to continue these efforts.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
Since April 2019, the Compensation Scheme has paid out or offered over £38 million in compensation. Our December 2020 overhaul of the Scheme has had an immediate beneficial impact on the amount paid out—within six weeks we had offered more than we had in the previous 19 months of the Scheme. As of the end of October, the Home Office has paid more than ten times the total amount paid prior to the changes being announced and offered an average of £3.1 million per month. Wendy Williams is currently reviewing the Home Office’s progress in implementing the 30 recommendations set out in the Windrush Lessons Learned Review (WLLR) report, which includes the Windrush Compensation Scheme. We expect the design and operational decision making within the Compensation Scheme to be considered within this review and we will consider any further recommendations once received.
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