Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Deferred
Paragraph: 90
Home Office progress on Windrush application and casework remains too slow.
Conclusion
We welcome the reviews the Department is now undertaking to get to grips with the application and casework process and the plans to increase casework capacity further. However, we believe it has taken far too long for this to happen given the concerns—such as the evidential requirements of the scheme—which have been raised repeatedly since it opened. We are concerned that the Home Office failed to meet its August milestone and consider that it will struggle to make adequate progress unless it takes significant action and takes it very quickly.
Government Response Summary
The government explains its approach to using medical evidence in decision-making, stating that it does not routinely seek expert medical advice to avoid delays and that it is committed to establishing a process for customers to obtain expert medical evidence on their own behalf.
Paragraph Reference:
90
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
We do use medical evidence to support the decision-making process. This is information obtained by us on the applicant’s behalf and by them to support their applications. We do not routinely seek to obtain expert medical advice to support determinations on complex awards as generally this would not increase the amount awarded and delay offers. We are mindful that some people did not inform their GP about status issues, and some people didn’t visit their GP at all whilst they were attempting to resolve their status issues. With that in mind, we assess the appropriateness of attempting to obtain further information. We are committed to setting out a process whereby customers can obtain expert medical evidence on their own behalf where appropriate.