Windrush Lessons Learned Review: Implementation of Recommendations

Question

The reality is that this Government’s treatment of the Windrush generation is surely one of the most shameful episodes in our post-war political history. The Windrush community played a pivotal role in rebuilding Britain. We all owe them a debt of honour and gratitude but, instead, consecutive Conservative Governments have treated them with utter contempt. First, they were victimised under the hostile environment policy, and then they were let down by a poorly administered compensation scheme, under which just 1,300 people have been awarded compensation when the Government originally estimated that 15,000 should be eligible. Now it is reported that the Government are set to betray the Windrush generation once again by U-turning on their commitment to implementing all 30 recommendations in Wendy Williams’s lessons learned report.

Question

It is worth noting that the Wendy Williams review looked across a catalogue of issues that affected the Windrush generation, with the first case listed in her initial report dating back to 2009. The Government were committed to putting all recommendations in place to rebuild the confidence of the Windrush generation. Could the Minister reassure me that this commitment remains and will be taken forward?

Question

Whitehall sources have been quoted in The Guardian as saying that “The Williams review is not set in stone”. It would be a betrayal of that review and of those affected if there is to be no migrants commissioner, no reconciliation events and no extra powers for the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration. So will the Minister confirm that none of the planned changes will affect the already ineffective compensation scheme and that the claims still outstanding will be concluded at the earliest opportunity?

Question

The previous Home Secretary energetically embraced the Wendy Williams findings and pursued the recommendations. What evidence is there that the Home Office’s culture is changing to recognise migration as about people and rooted in humanity?

Question

What is the Government's position on taking forward recommendations by Wendy Williams regarding an independent migrants commissioner and extending powers of the chief inspector of borders and immigration?

Question

Will claims under the Windrush scheme be dealt with on a strictly first-come, first-served basis, and are there provisions for discretion favouring aged or frail claimants?

Question

Can the Minister confirm whether the Windrush scheme will remain open and if additional resources will be used, especially considering an 18-month delay?

Question

What is the progress of cross-governmental working group on addressing issues faced by the Windrush generation?

Question

Why is the Government now breaking its promise to implement all 30 recommendations from the Wendy Williams review?

Question

What is the target date for completing the implementation of Wendy Williams recommendations?

Question

What does the Minister think about Wendy Williams' conclusion that failure to drive cultural change would lead to another difficult outcome like Windrush scandal?

Question

Can the Minister confirm when we can expect the appointment of a migrants commissioner based on the commitment to implement all Wendy Williams recommendations?

Question

Why are the Government pretending that Windrush scandal is behind us when they cannot provide statistics on applications by constituents?

Question

Will the Minister accept that Windrush generation, migrants and minorities have lost confidence in Home Office due to scrapped commitments?

Question

Human rights are universal: no class of person present in this country should be exempted from human rights protection, regardless of whether they are a British citizen. The Joint Committee on Human Rights said the Government must fulfil its promise to implement the recommendations from the Windrush Lessons Learned Review urgently; can we take it that the delay in implementing regulations and reports being ditched indicates the Government's lack of concern for compliance with human rights in their forthcoming immigration legislation?

Question

The Minister talks about engagement, so can she please confirm why the Home Office is now refusing to hold reconciliation events despite having promised to do so?

Question

Can she update the House on progress regarding identifying people from Commonwealth countries other than those from the Caribbean who were also impacted by issues within the Home Office?

Question

The Minister mentioned the compensation scheme as an outstanding example of success, but it is not viewed that way by the Home Affairs Committee or those applying to it. Will she confirm that the Home Office remains committed to full implementation of the Wendy Williams recommendations?

Question

Will the Minister give the House a clear assurance that the Home Office will appoint a migrants commissioner?

Question

Can the Minister outline how she will apply the lessons of Windrush to ensuring people can work here and help fill gaps in industries while building a life, as recommended by the Wendy Williams review?