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Home Secretary launches Windrush Compensation Scheme

皇冠体育app Home Secretary today opened a scheme to compensate members of the Windrush generation who were unable to prove their right to live in the UK.

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government
HMS Windrush

皇冠体育app Windrush Compensation Scheme, which was designed in consultation with those affected and will have independent oversight, is the latest step in the government鈥檚 commitment to right the wrongs experienced by the Windrush generation.

It will provide payments to eligible individuals who did not have the right documentation to prove their status in the UK and suffered adverse effects on their life as a result. 皇冠体育appse could range from a loss of employment or access to housing, education or NHS healthcare to emotional distress or a deterioration in mental and physical health.

Last April, the Home Secretary established the Windrush Taskforce that has helped over 3,600 people secure British citizenship. An independent lessons learned review, led by Wendy Williams, has also been set up to establish what went wrong and how to prevent it happening again.

Home Secretary, Sajid Javid said:

When I became Home Secretary I vowed to right the wrongs experienced by the Windrush generation. We鈥檝e been working tirelessly to fulfil that promise ever since and have helped more than 3,600 people secure the citizenship they were entitled to.

But it鈥檚 right that we compensate those who faced extreme difficulties and hardship 鈥� and this scheme will go some way in doing that.

皇冠体育app Windrush generation have given so much to this country and we will ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

Martin Forde QC commented:

I have been involved in advising the Home Office on the design of the Windrush Compensation Scheme, and I believe it is accessible and most importantly, fairly compensates those who have suffered.

皇冠体育app scheme has been built on feedback from affected communities, and their personal stories have been crucial in its design.

皇冠体育app scheme is open to anyone from any nationality who has the right to live or work in the UK without any restrictions or is now a British Citizen, and arrived in the UK before 31 December 1988. It is also open to anyone from a Commonwealth country who arrived and settled in the UK before 1973. Certain children and grandchildren of those arriving before 1973 and some close family members may also be eligible to apply.

People who were wrongfully detained or removed from the UK could also be able to make a claim.

皇冠体育app Home Office will also refund fees paid for certain immigration applications that were unsuccessful, and reimburse certain associated legal costs that were incurred.

皇冠体育app scheme was shaped by evidence from affected individuals. 皇冠体育app first call for evidence received 650 responses and a formal consultation on the compensation scheme generated responses from almost 1,500 individuals and organisations.

皇冠体育app Home Secretary appointed Martin Forde QC to oversee the design of the compensation scheme, providing independent scrutiny on the operation of the scheme.

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Published 3 April 2019