Windrush Compensation Scheme 2022-01-17
2022-01-17
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A report criticised the Home Office for apologising to charities and community groups meant to support Windrush victims, with a constituent waiting two years for compensation. The budget remains underspent.
What steps has she taken to expedite the processing of Windrush compensation scheme claims? A recent report criticised the Home Office, which was forced to apologise to charities and community groups that were meant to be supporting victims with their applications. It took two years for one of my constituents to receive a reply, which is an absolute disgrace considering the age profile of Windrush victims.
We have recruited 40 new caseworkers, with 35 more in the pipeline for the coming months. We have also refreshed and streamlined internal processes to reduce processing times. Outsourcing would merely introduce further delays; we will pay compensation that is due without a ceiling.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about outsourcing was not addressed directly, although reasons against it were given.
As We Have Said Before
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Only 5% of claimants had received any compensation, with 23 people dying before receiving their compensation.
I remind the Home Secretary of the legal maxim, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” This Government promised to try to right some of the wrongs with the Windrush compensation scheme in a time-limited manner. In November, the Home Affairs Committee found that only 20% of claimants had applied and only 5% had received any compensation. Twenty-three people have died before receiving their compensation.
Moving this operation out of the Home Office would merely further delay the provision of compensation. We are recruiting more caseworkers and speeding up the process.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about an independent body was not addressed directly; instead, reasons against it were provided.
Again, We Would Make The Point
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Only 5% of claimants had received any compensation, with 23 people dying before receiving their compensation.
I remind the Home Secretary of the legal maxim, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” This Government promised to try to right some of the wrongs with the Windrush compensation scheme in a time-limited manner. In November, the Home Affairs Committee found that only 20% of claimants had applied and only 5% had received any compensation. Twenty-three people have died before receiving their compensation.
Moving this operation out of the Home Office would merely further delay the provision of compensation. We are recruiting more caseworkers and speeding up the process.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about an independent body was not addressed directly; instead, reasons against it were provided.
Again, We Would Make The Point
Response accuracy