Victims of the Home Office Windrush scandal will be paid up to
75% of their compensation award in advance as part of a major
overhaul of the claims process.
For the first time, victims will be compensated for lost
contributions to a work or personal pension.
And priority will now be given to applications from those aged 75
and over and people with serious health conditions – speeding up
justice for elderly and vulnerable people.
The changes address long-standing concerns from the Windrush
community about excessive bureaucracy delaying them from
receiving deserved compensation.
Advance payments will be made where a claimant is unhappy with
their compensation decision and requests a review.
Many members of the Windrush generations lost vital retirement
savings through no fault of their own as they could not prove
their lawful immigration status.
Compensation will be extended to those who had to withdraw money
from their pension to support themselves during the
scandal.
Any immigration fees paid because a person could not prove their
lawful status will also be reimbursed.
The Compensation Scheme will account for wage inflation and
recognises the challenges of returning to work following a long
period of unemployment.
The measures will benefit thousands of people, with changes
applied retrospectively – preventing further financial hardship
for the Windrush generations.
Home Secretary said:
The Home Office Windrush scandal was a shameful stain on our
history. People who gave so much to our country were treated as
illegal immigrants in their own home.
It is unacceptable that many victims are still waiting for
compensation all these years later. That changes today.
We will deliver justice so that those suffering financial
hardship through no fault of their own are paid for their lost
pension savings.
I will leave no stone left unturned until everyone affected
receives the justice they deserve.
The changes will be announced today (24 October) by Migration and
Citizenship Minister at the Windrush National
Organisation conference in Birmingham.
They follow recommendations by the independent Windrush
Commissioner Reverend Clive Foster, who was appointed in June
in fulfilment of a manifesto pledge by the
government.
Part of the Commissioner's role is to drive lasting improvements
in the Windrush Compensation Scheme, which was set up in the
aftermath of the scandal. He marks 100 days in post this
week.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS), launched in April 2019,
provides redress to members of the Windrush generation and their
families for losses suffered due to the scandal.
Currently, preliminary payments of up to £10,000 are available to
prevent hardship. The new advance payment will work alongside
existing measures, allowing victims who request a review to
receive up to three-quarters of their final award while this is
completed.
Both occupational and personal pensions will be included in the
WCS changes. This additional compensation builds on the current
scheme, which is already ensuring victims' state pensions are not
affected by their time out of work.
Earlier this year, the Home Office launched the £1.5
million Windrush Advocacy Support
Fund to provide dedicated support for victims through
the compensation process.
The amount paid under the WCS is £116 million across 3,501
claims, as of the end of August 2025. Over 93% of claims have
received a final decision.
