IMMIGRATION MINISTER Caroline Nokes has delivered another apology in relation to the Windrush scandal after around 500 private emails were shared in error with those on a mailing list for the recently announced compensation scheme.
Today, Nokes disclosed that what she called “an administrative error” had meant hundreds of people were sent an email sharing news of the scheme, which also included the private email addresses of other recipients.
In a written statement, Nokes said: “Regrettably, in promoting the scheme via email to interested parties, an administrative error was made which has meant data protection requirements have not been met, for which the Home Office apologises unreservedly.
“This occurred in emails sent to some of the individuals and organisations who had registered an interest in being kept informed about the launch of the compensation scheme, which included other recipients’ email addresses. Five batches of emails, each with 100 recipients, were affected. No other personal data was included.
“A recall was commenced as soon as the problem had been identified. The departmental data protection officer has been informed and an internal review will be conducted to ensure this cannot happen again. The department has voluntarily notified the Information Commissioner’s Office of the incident.”
Home secretary Sajid Javid announced the launch of the compensation scheme last week.
There government has said there is not a cap on the fund itself, but caps are applied to different types of claims. For example, the maximum amount someone can claim for being deported from the UK in error is £10,000.
Labour MP David Lammy said: “More details emerging about the Windrush compensation scheme. A £10,000 cap for being incorrectly deported by your own government is not compensation, it is an insult. Sajid Javid you said there would be ‘no limit’ - how do you explain these figures?”
The scheme has been heavily criticised by many of those personally affected by the scandal and their legal representatives.
Those eligible for compensation do not have to be from the Caribbean. Anyone who has been in the UK since 1988 and has been wrongly identified as being an illegal immigrant and suffered financial losses as a result can make a claim.
For information about the Windrush compensation scheme, click here [2].
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