PICTURED: Home Office
THE HOME Office is set to hold a series of public events across the UK, in an attempt to reach out to those impacted by the Windrush scandal.
Over the next year, events will be held in Lewisham, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Sandwell, Leeds, Southwark and among other locations. According to the Home Office, the events are aimed at “affected individuals, community leaders, lawyers, charities and support groups” and members of the Commonwealth Citizen’s taskforce “will offer practical information on the Windrush Compensation Scheme in addition to help and support on how to make a claim”.
Immigration Minister Seema Kennedy said: “We are determined to right the wrongs of successive governments and that’s why our taskforce will travel to events across the country, from Liverpool to Lewisham, giving hands-on advice and support.
“The scheme has been designed to be as generous as possible and so I would urge anyone who thinks they may have been affected to attend an event and find out more.”
The Windrush Compensation Scheme was launched in April this year to 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.
It is open to almost 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.
It is also 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.
Since its launch, the scheme has faced criticism with some MP’s stating sums to be paid to individuals are “insultingly low”. Former Home Secretary Sajid Javid previously said there would be ‘no limit’ to the amount of money that could be paid to victims of the Windrush scandal, but plans were later set out to included caps on compensation.
You can read more information on Windrush Compensation Scheme community events, the Windrush Compensation Scheme and how to apply here