Shadow Home Secretary, , has
today called on the UK Government to give control of the Windrush
Compensation Scheme to a new independent body, following
systematic mismanagement under Conservative Ministers.
In his letter to the Home Secretary, ,
comments that “the lack of progress [on the Compensation Scheme]
allows the shameful failings exposed by the [Wendy Williams]
Review to continue.” He goes on to say that placing it under a
new independent body, will “help restore faith in the process and
get compensation quickly to people who have been so appallingly
treated” and added that “the time for warm words is over.”
Labour’s call comes after recent findings from a National Audit
Office report into the Compensation Scheme found that the Scheme
was “not meeting its objective of compensating claimants
quickly”. Meanwhile, the UK Government’s own figures show that
just 687 people have received compensation, from the 11,500
people the Home Office estimated might be eligible. Tragically,
at least 21 people have died waiting for justice.
Labour’s calls coincide with Windrush Day.
Commenting, ,
Shadow Home Secretary, said:
“Windrush Day is an historic day in our national story - and we
owe the Windrush generation an enormous debt of gratitude.
“Shamefully, the mishandling of the Windrush Compensation Scheme
by Conservative Ministers has heaped insult upon injustice. The
numbers speak for themselves, with fewer than 700 people
receiving compensation and least 21 people have died waiting for
justice.
“Labour is calling for urgent action to overhaul the scheme, by
placing it under independent leadership away from the Home
Office. This is to help restore faith in the process and quickly
get compensation to people who have been so appallingly treated.
This injustice cannot continue.”
Commenting, , Shadow Secretary of State for Women and
Equalities, said:
“This injustice cannot continue. The Windrush Compensation Scheme
must be placed under independent leadership away from the Home
Office so that people can finally receive the compensation they
deserve.
“The Windrush scandal was an example of racial injustice, which
is still experienced by many Black Caribbean people across
British society.
“That is why the next Labour government will introduce a Race
Equality Act, to systematically tackle structural and
institutional racism.”
Letter to :
Dear Priti,
I write on Windrush Day on the matter of the Windrush
Compensation Scheme.
As you will be aware, the recent findings from a National Audit
Office report into the scheme were worrying and, crucially,
exposed the fact that the scheme was ‘not meeting its objective
of compensating claimants quickly’.
We owe the Windrush generation an enormous debt of gratitude for
the incredible contribution they have made to our national story.
Yet the Windrush Scandal highlighted how appallingly so many
people have been treated.
In your statement on 23 June 2020, you said of the Windrush
generation: “when Britain was in need, they answered the call.”
This is undoubtedly true. Yet, sadly, when they have called on
the Government to act with decisiveness and ensure payments are
appropriate for the injustices caused, their call has not been
answered. In the same statement to Parliament, you claimed that
“now is the time for more action.” However, this was almost
exactly a year ago and progress since has been unacceptably slow.
This is a matter of grave importance and it is unacceptable that
victims of the Windrush Scandal have been served so badly by this
system. The Home Office’s own figures show that just 687 people
have received compensated, from the 11,500 people the Home Office
estimated might be eligible. Tragically, at least 21 people have
died waiting for justice.
Furthermore, we are still awaiting a substantive update on the
progress of the implementation of the Wendy Williams Review
recommendations, all of which you pledged to accept. We have yet
to see tangible outcomes across the full set of 30
recommendations. The lack of progress allows the shameful
failings exposed by the review to continue.
This injustice cannot continue. That is why we are calling for
urgent action to overhaul the Windrush Compensation Scheme, by
placing it under independent leadership in a new independent
body. This is to help restore faith in the process and get
compensation quickly to people who have been appallingly treated.
Almost 100,000 people have already signed a petition raising
concerns about this issue and it has been supported by prominent
figures with deep family ties to the Windrush generation.
The time for warm words is over - we need change without further
delay.
I look forward to your urgent response.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon
Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department
Notes to Editors:
National Audit Office report into the Windrush Compensation
Scheme published 21 May 2021, https://www.nao.org.uk/report/investigation-into-the-windrush-compensation-scheme/
May 2021, Home Office Statistics on the Windrush Compensation
Scheme
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windrush-compensation-scheme-data-may-2021
