To ensure those affected by Windrush can continue to access help
and support during the coronavirus pandemic, the Home Office will
be running a series of online engagement events.
These will start later this month and will follow a similar
format to the engagement events that have already been held
around the country.
Those affected can get advice from members of the Commonwealth
Citizens’ Taskforce and the Windrush Compensation Scheme, who
will explain what help and support is available and how to make a
claim for compensation.
The digital solution has been devised to ensure vital outreach
and engagement can continue on Windrush. The government continues
to be absolutely committed to righting the wrongs experienced by
the Windrush generation and ensure nothing like this happens
again.
Home Secretary said:
Reaching all those affected by Windrush is a priority and these
online events make sure that the vital outreach and engagement
on Windrush continues during the pandemic.
This will help ensure that all those who need help applying for
compensation or to the Windrush Taskforce can continue to get
any support they need.
The Home Office will work closely with stakeholders who will host
or co-host the events using their own online conferencing
channels and manage any registration for the event.
This will be guided by stakeholders, who will identify the most
effective platforms for the communities they work with, subject
to those channels meeting security requirements.
These measures have been put in place whilst the UK continues to
observe social distancing, but the Home Office plans to revert to
face-to-face events as soon as it is safe to do so. So far, the
Home Office has held or attended over 30 events across the
country since April 2019.
The department continues to work closely with stakeholders and
partners trusted by the community to develop and deliver
communications activity to raise awareness of the Windrush
Taskforce and Windrush Compensation Scheme.
The events will be promoted using a range of methods, including
adverts on social media and through trusted community networks.
Details on the timings of online engagement events will
be available here.
The Home Office continues its work to right the wrongs
experienced by the Windrush generation, which is shown by the
fact that over 12,000 people have been provided with
documentation confirming their status so far.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme also continues to make payments
to compensate for those who suffered.
Citizens Advice, funded by the Home Office, are continuing to
provide free, independent claimant assistance during the pandemic
for those wishing to apply to the Compensation Scheme. This can
be accessed by referral through the Windrush Helpline: 0800 678
1925.
As announced by the Home Secretary in March, the Home Office will
shortly launch a separate £500k fund for grassroots organisations
to promote the Windrush Schemes and provide advice services. We
will work with stakeholders to co-design the fund.
The Wendy Williams Lessons Learned review was published in March
2020. The Home Secretary made clear in her statement to the House
of Commons on the day of publication that the department will
carefully consider the detail of the report and its
recommendations to develop a comprehensive plan for changing the
ways of working of the Home Office.
