Windrush chief calls for urgent reform of payouts scheme

"The Windrush commissioner has demanded urgent reform of the compensation scheme after being told by survivors that the Home Office is waiting for us to die off. In a letter seen by the Guardian addressed to migration and equalities minister, Seema Malhotra, and shared with home secretary Yvette Cooper, Rev Clive Foster says it is deeply concerning that 66 people have died while waiting for compensation for the Windrush scandal."

"Making a series of recommendations to government on delivery, Foster added: Given the age and health of many people affected by the scandal, reform is a matter of urgency. Justice must be delivered in their lifetimes. A phrase I've heard repeatedly from community members is that the Home Office is waiting for us to die off'. While I don't share this view, I believe it's important that you hear it directly as it reflects the challenge you face in building trust."

"Calling for better support for survivors, Foster recommends that the application process is reformed to make it trauma-informed and accessible and says compensation should be made for pension and future earnings losses. He suggests the risk that people die before being compensated could be reduced by making partial payments to people awaiting a review, with cases prioritised by age and health. He also calls for performance indicators for the scheme, including average processing times and satisfaction levels, to be published."

Sixty-six people died while waiting for Windrush compensation, prompting calls for urgent scheme reform. Survivors report long waits, unclear outcomes, and emotional toll from an opaque process. The commissioner noted some recent improvements and personal commitment from the migration and equalities minister but emphasized the need to build trust. Recommendations include trauma-informed, accessible applications, compensation for pension and future earnings losses, partial payments while reviews are pending, and prioritising cases by age and health. The commissioner also urged publication of performance indicators such as average processing times and satisfaction levels. The government set up a 1.5m advocacy fund in April to support survivors.

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