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Windrush Lessons Learned Review: Implementation of Recommendations
10 January 2023
Lead MP
Sarah Dines
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Taxation
Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
Sarah Dines raised concerns about windrush lessons learned review: implementation of recommendations in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Since the Windrush injustices came to light, there has been significant effort across the Home Office to address these wrongs. The Department is making sustained progress on delivering the recommendations of Wendy Williams's review and the commitments made in the comprehensive improvement plan. As of October 2022, 21 of the reviewer’s recommendations have been met or partially met. In addition, £59.58 million has been paid out or offered as compensation to victims, and the Home Office established the Office for the Independent Examiner of Complaints in October 2022. The Department acknowledges that while much progress has been made, there is still more work to do.
Stephen Kinnock
Lab
Aberavon Maesteg
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.
Minister reply
This Government are absolutely not betraying the Windrush generation. The Home Office has provided regular updates on the good progress, and the statistics bear out the hard work that is happening. The compensation scheme offers £59.58 million to victims of which more than £51 million has already been paid.
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?
Minister reply
The commitment is clear, but there is clearly more work to be done. There are new aspects to the compensation scheme such as living costs for close family members and preliminary payments which allow part of a compensation payment to be paid earlier in the process.
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?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady should not believe everything she reads in the paper because there is no end date to Wendy Williams’ appointment, she continues to review and the Government take her views very seriously. There needs to be more change but we are effecting this and the Government’s commitment is unswerving.
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?
Minister reply
Government are committed to cultural change, acknowledged by Wendy Williams. Distinction must be clear between dealing with Windrush generation and enforcement of policies for individuals without right to reside.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
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?
Minister reply
Government cannot comment on leaks, but will be judged on delivery. No delay or difficulty in rising to challenge.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
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?
Minister reply
System of improvements ongoing; will review question regarding family members' entitlement to money.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
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?
Minister reply
Windrush scheme remains open; Government is doing all they can. Minimum payment has been raised to £10,000 per applicant.
Question
What is the progress of cross-governmental working group on addressing issues faced by the Windrush generation?
Minister reply
Cross-government work has been valuable. There has been a change in culture among caseworkers, acknowledged by Wendy Williams.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
Why is the Government now breaking its promise to implement all 30 recommendations from the Wendy Williams review?
Minister reply
Government remains committed and trusted. No end date for completion of plan; work will continue.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
What is the target date for completing the implementation of Wendy Williams recommendations?
Minister reply
No end date as continual improvement and financial assistance are ongoing.
Kate Osamor
Lab Co-op
Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
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?
Minister reply
Government respects what Wendy Williams says. Change has been fundamental, but more work is needed.
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?
Minister reply
Will write to hon. Gentleman regarding timing, but there is a huge commitment from Government.
Birmingham Erdington
Question
Why are the Government pretending that Windrush scandal is behind us when they cannot provide statistics on applications by constituents?
Minister reply
Government continues to work on it. No end date; not abandoning people part of our community.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Question
Will the Minister accept that Windrush generation, migrants and minorities have lost confidence in Home Office due to scrapped commitments?
Minister reply
Government is not abandoning people; civil servants are working together to put right past wrongs.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South West
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?
Minister reply
The Government have treated these issues with urgency, aiming for a rapid but detailed and reliable response. The Home Office is committed to doing everything right and working through the recommendations diligently, as Wendy Williams has acknowledged.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
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?
Minister reply
Home Office officials are actively engaging with internal and external organisations and staff at all levels. The level of engagement has been incredibly high, but it is not appropriate to comment on leaks or news articles that may be inaccurate.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
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?
Minister reply
There has been a sea change in the Home Office. The process has improved, and there is constant review. Preliminary payments for close family members have been introduced to address one of the core concerns.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
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?
Minister reply
There has been significant progress in compensating members of the Windrush generation and their families for losses suffered due to a scandal under previous Governments. We are committed to continuing this effort with improvements being made, such as offering and paying out almost £60 million.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
Question
Will the Minister give the House a clear assurance that the Home Office will appoint a migrants commissioner?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question and I will have to check and write to him shortly.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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?
Minister reply
This Government are committed to treating people fairly and putting right historical wrongs. We must protect our borders but also assist those who are lawfully here, helping them build their lives while contributing to the nation.
Shadow Comment
Stephen Kinnock
Shadow Comment
The treatment of the Windrush generation by successive Conservative Governments is one of the most shameful episodes in British history. The Windrush community has played a pivotal role in rebuilding Britain and deserves better than to be victimised under hostile policies and poorly administered compensation schemes, with only 1,300 out of an estimated 15,000 eligible receiving compensation. There are concerns about U-turns on commitments to implement Wendy Williams's recommendations fully.
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