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PICTURED: The Empire Windrush

A CONSULTATION on the design of a future Windrush compensation scheme has been launched by the Home Secretary today (Jul 19).

The Home Secretary notified Parliament of the launch in a written ministerial statement published this morning. The consultation covers 3 core elements:

- Who should be eligible for compensation
- What losses should be compensated for
- How the process should work

It will run for 12 weeks and be open to those who have suffered loss or difficulty as a result of not being able to prove their status in the UK as well as friends, family and representatives of those affected.

The consultation document has been shaped by the more than 650 responses to a 4-week call for evidence which was run to help understand the experiences of members of the Windrush Generation and other long resident Commonwealth nationals.

It has also taken into account information gathered through engagement events that have been held across the country. The process has been overseen by Martin Forde QC who has acted as an independent adviser on the shaping of the scheme.

Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: "Today marks an important milestone in our efforts to put things right for the people who have suffered – through no fault of their own – as a result of measures that are in place to tackle illegal immigration. These people are pillars of our society, who came to the UK many years ago and have made an invaluable contribution to this country.

"I am clear that we must get this compensation scheme right and to do that we must listen. The personal stories we have already heard through the call for evidence are at the heart of this consultation paper. Now I want to encourage anyone who has been affected to have their say and help us shape the scheme.

People will be able to take part in the consultation online, via post or over the phone. The Home Office will also be holding and attending events around the country to give people the opportunity to discuss the consultation form with a member of the compensation scheme team face to face.

The consultation will close on October 11.

Find out more here

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