“At least 53 people have already died waiting for their claims to be decided,” according to Paul Farmer, who also stated in the preface to a recent study that “time is not on the side of those waiting for compensation.”
“What makes this scandal even worse is that rather than righting the wrongs, the Windrush Compensation Scheme has itself become a cause of further distress,” the charity’s head stated, launching the report Justice Denied: Reforming the Windrush Compensation Scheme. In spite of having the legal right to reside in the UK, many British citizens, mostly those from the Caribbean were threatened with deportation and refused access to healthcare and benefits in the Windrush controversy of 2018.
Financial Fair Play regulations
Although the government pledged to make amends for what had occurred, the compensation plan, which went into effect in April 2019, has come under fire for processing applications too quickly and not paying out as promised. A number of elements of the compensation process are allegedly failing individuals who are impacted, according to a new research by Age UK.
One of these is that the Home Office was designated as the agency in charge of scheme administration, despite the fact that it was the same agency that was initially accountable for the abuses the Windrush Generation endured due to its hostile environment policies. Given their low levels of trust in the Home Office and a history of bad experiences, many older persons affected by the Windrush program are afraid and hesitant to apply, according to campaigners and older people who have been touched by the program, the research stated. The research also raises concerns about issues related to compensation amounts, the appeals procedure, and administrative mistakes and delays.
UEFA investigations and punitive measures
Only 1,993 people had received compensation offers by the end of 2023, according to the charity, less than one in seven (13%) of those for whom the Home Office has estimated they should have been entitled. According to Age UK, the Home Office had initially projected that 15,000 persons would be eligible; but, by the end of 2023, just 7,688 applications had been submitted, and a sizable portion of those impacted were still seeking compensation and justice. It is demanding that the Home Office hand up control of the compensation system to an impartial entity. “With the necessary political will, the Windrush Compensation Scheme could be made much fairer and easier to access,” stated Age UK CEO Paul Farmer. “Ministers must take immediate action before it’s too late and more people pass away without receiving justice for the severe harm they and their families have endured over the years.” The government is still fully dedicated to making amends for the Windrush fiasco, having already paid out more than £75 million in compensation, and will keep making changes to ensure that victims receive the maximum reward as soon as possible, according to a Home Office official. Over 80% of claims have heard back on their applications as of the end of December.
Impact on Manchester City’s legacy and reputation
The study is being released at the same time as a debate on the Windrush issue and the efficacy of the compensation plan is scheduled to occur in the House of Lords on Thursday. The debate is being chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin. Since November, when data revealed that nine individuals had passed away without getting the justice they had sought, the number has more than doubled. More than 500 applicants have been waiting more than a year for a judgment; of those, 214 have been waiting longer than 18 months, and five have been waiting for two years, according to data provided in response to parliamentary queries. Priti Patel, the home secretary, stated: “It is very regrettable that a claimant passes away before an apology or monetary award can be made to them.”
The employees of the Windrush compensation program are putting a lot of effort into making sure that claims made by people with serious or terminal diseases are given priority. In response to intense criticism of the program, the department unveiled major changes in December with the goal of accelerating and increasing compensation payouts. The Home Office said last week that it had disbursed £14.2 million to 633 individuals. In March, almost £8 million was released, which is twice as much as was paid in the first 20 months of the program’s existence following its debut in 2019.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Organizations that assist applicants are starting to note that certain claims are being processed more quickly, but they expressed dissatisfaction with the way the program is run as a whole.
