Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Fifth Report - The Windrush Compensation Scheme
Home Affairs Committee
HC 204
Published 24 November 2021
Government response
Third Special Report - The Windrush Compensation Scheme: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 7 Feb 2022
Recommendations & Conclusions
11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Increased transparency on Windrush compensation award values could build trust
Conclusion
We hope that the changes since December 2020 that have increased the level of award available and made the process simpler will also help encourage more people to apply for the scheme. The Home Office could improve trust and confidence …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it currently collects some information in the Primary Claim Form and is looking to include collection of this data in future updates to other claim forms, but does not commit to greater transparency about the value of awards made.
Home Office
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13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 49
Proactive identification and support needed for Windrush compensation eligible individuals
Conclusion
As previously stated, whilst we recognise the challenges faced by the Home Office in both estimating the number of, and identifying, people who may be eligible for the Windrush Compensation Scheme, we agree with the NAO, the Public Accounts Committee …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it consistently reviews processes for improvement, works smarter, and is embedding a continuous improvement culture to deliver operational excellence, but provides no specific actions for proactively identifying affected individuals.
Home Office
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 68
Community-centred strategy vital for building Windrush compensation trust.
Conclusion
We believe that a community-centred strategy is vital for building trust in the compensation scheme given the pervasive distrust of the Home Office within the affected communities.
Government Response Summary
The government states it is currently reviewing its customer contact strategy and considering feedback from stakeholders and individuals, but does not commit to implementing a specific community-centred strategy.
Home Office
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24
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Ensure Windrush scheme communications clarify eligibility, conduct targeted outreach, and evaluate effectiveness for all communities.
Recommendation
The Home Office must ensure that all communications about the Windrush schemes make clear that eligibility is not limited to the Caribbean Commonwealth, and that there is dedicated outreach and targeted communications for those from non- Caribbean Commonwealth countries. It …
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Government Response Summary
The government intends to publish the Scheme’s overall Equality Impact Assessment in the new year once it has been updated to reflect recent changes, without directly addressing the specific calls for targeted outreach or clarification on High Commission support.
Home Office
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40
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 131
It is essential that claimants to the scheme have ready access to the end-to-end support...
Conclusion
It is essential that claimants to the scheme have ready access to the end-to-end support they need in ways which are comfortable for them. Given the nature and the complexity of the impacts suffered, we are very concerned that support …
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Government Response Summary
The government committed to delivering on the recommendation by building on existing outreach and engaging with stakeholders and expert facilitators to sensitively design and implement support, but did not specify changes to the three-hour limit on support sessions.
Home Office
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48
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 175
Unclear how Windrush 'impact on life' compensation is determined and relies on inaccessible evidence.
Conclusion
We welcome the increase in compensation that is available for impact on life; however, we have not yet seen evidence that the new tariff has addressed the underlying concerns about how this category of claim operates. There is a lack …
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Government Response Summary
The government describes the 'Impact on Life' compensation category, detailing its 5 levels of payment ranging from £10,000 to over £100,000 for non-financial impacts, and refers to publicly available casework guidance.
Home Office
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51
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 191
Claimants struggle to document lost earnings, resulting in limited and problematic compensation awards.
Conclusion
As the Home Secretary has acknowledged, it is not possible for some claimants to document what their earnings were or would have been when they lost access to employment because this information is not always accessible or may never have …
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Government Response Summary
The government explains that compensation for loss of access to employment is calculated using the 2017 National Living Wage for consistency and to avoid delays, clarifies that occupational pensions are excluded, but states National Insurance positions will be corrected for State Pension entitlement.
Home Office
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73
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Progress on Windrush reconciliation events and follow-up support requires clarification.
Conclusion
The commitment to holding reconciliation events is a particularly important one and must not get lost. In its response to this Report, the Home Office should clarify what progress it has made on implementing a programme of reconciliation events with …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of reconciliation events and states it is committed to delivering them, engaging with stakeholders and facilitators for sensitive design, but does not clarify specific implementation progress or work on follow-up support.
Home Office
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