Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will receive crucial
support to access the compensation they deserve under a
£1.5million fund launched by the government today.
The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund (WCASF) will
provide claimants with dedicated advocates from community
organisations to work alongside them throughout the compensation
application process.
Many victims have reported that while this process is not legally
complex, the emotional toll of revisiting traumatic experiences
can make it difficult to navigate alone.
Delivered over the next three years and offered alongside
existing support for Windrush Compensation Scheme applicants, the
WCASF will break down barriers to justice by ensuring victims'
voices are heard and their experiences fully documented.
The fund delivers on the government's manifesto commitment to
provide additional support and work more closely with affected
communities and forms part of the wider Plan for Change to
deliver justice for Windrush victims.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, MP said:
"The Home Office Windrush scandal was an appalling injustice that
should never have happened. People who had built their lives here
and contributed so much to our country were wrongly treated as
illegal immigrants in the place they called home.
"This £1.5 million fund is a decisive step in our mission to
right these wrongs. By providing dedicated advocacy support,
we're breaking down barriers and ensuring victims have a voice
through every step of the compensation process.
"We are determined that Windrush communities will finally receive
the recognition and justice they deserve."
Advocates will help applicants gather supporting evidence,
provide signposting to additional services, and create a trusted
environment so no victim has to face the system by themselves.
The additional support will be of immense importance to victims.
For many, the scandal resulted in loss of employment, denial of
healthcare, threats of deportation, and in some cases, actual
deportation from a country they had every right to call home.
These experiences led to severe financial hardship, deteriorating
mental health, broken families, and shattered trust in government
institutions.
The fund has been shaped by extensive consultation with more than
20 organisations, all serving different segments of the Windrush
community.
Advocates funded through this initiative will understand
applicants' cultural background and support them to articulate
their stories in a safe environment. It aims to ensure
applications fully capture the impact of the scandal on
individuals' lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing.
Since coming into office, the government has re-established the
Windrush Unit to oversee the department's response to the scandal
and embed permanent cultural change across the Home Office –
keeping the voices of victims at the heart of all work undertaken
to address the scandal.
Recruitment is currently underway for the vital role of Windrush
Commissioner, who will represent victims' views at the highest
levels of government and drive lasting change. The appointment is
expected by summer 2025.
Virtual information sessions for organisations interested in
applying to the WCASF will be held on 14 and 15 April.
Notes to editors:
- The Windrush Compensation Advocacy Support Fund was announced
in Parliament on 24 October 2024 – Home Secretary launches
new support for Windrush victims - GOV.UK
- Organisations interested in attending the information
session, must register via email toWCSAdvocacySupportFund@homeoffice.gov.uk.
- Further details on the fund can be found here: Windrush Compensation
Advocacy Support Fund 2025-26 - GOV-UK Find a grant
- All applications must be submitted via the Find and Apply
Grant portal by 5pm on 09 May 2025.
