This evening, the charity Justice launched their report on ‘Reforming the Windrush Compensation Scheme’ – we’ve not had the chance to read the full report yet but wanted to share some initial thoughts from the launch. [1/n]
The main themes of the report are a lack of trust among claimants, exacerbated by the lack of independence of the Scheme, a series of procedural and structural problems with the Scheme, and a general lack of compassion, empathy and respect in the handling of claims [2/n]
The main and most important (TL;DR) recommendation is that the Scheme should be taken away from the Home Office because the aims of the Scheme are undermined by the lack of independence of the Scheme. Cannot emphasise our agreement with this enough. [3/n]
‘Why’ asked Timothy Bowden at the start of the launch ‘should claimants believe that the HO will treat them fairly when the Scheme is aimed at compensating them for the HO’s unfair treatment of them’. Quite. [4/n]
The Scheme shouldn’t just be independent of the HO, but independent of government, for the exact same reason. ‘Why would I sit next to the burglar of my house?’ asks @GlendaCaesar 🔥 [5/n]
The importance of legal support was also emphasised by multiple panellists. @JacquiMckenzie6 pointed to a lack of understanding of the cohort affected by the Windrush Injustice within the Home Office… [6/n]
…An elderly population, affected by the general structural impediments that have affected people of an African and Caribbean descent, asked to navigate an exceedingly difficult (bureaucratically and emotionally speaking) process of claiming compensation [7/n]
As @GlendaCaesar said, if someone with her long career in an administrative role and who understands how to navigate the system struggled to complete her claim and needed legal help, most others will too. [8/n]
Free legal support is essential. Lots of organisations are doing amazing work in supporting claimants, but as Jacqui said, this was almost exclusively pro bono and under-resourced. [9/n]
The fact the only support available via the Scheme is from a private company called ‘We Are Digital’ (don’t get us started on neoliberal outsourcing) that offers claimants a mere three hours of support to fill out the form with no follow up support is ludicrous. [10/n]
.@ppvernon wraps up by saying the Scheme is a symptom of structural racism and anti-blackness and can ONLY work if it is independent, with legal aid support and with survivors at its core. ‘You’d get better service from Poundland or Ryanair’. Say it Patrick! [11/n]
The HO reacted to the report by saying making the Scheme independent risks further delays. The panellists acknowledged thinking hard and long about this, but came to two conclusions… [12/n]
A) The Scheme is not exactly a paragon of speed as it stands.
B) Some kind of transitional mechanism could feasibly be put in place.
[13/n]
B) Some kind of transitional mechanism could feasibly be put in place.
[13/n]
The report incorporates input from some of the indomitable people that have been fighting for justice for Windrush claimants from the start, big up @GlendaCaesar @JacquiMckenzie6 @ppvernon @annaste67914552 @Chrisviews43 @SibonPhiri and others [14/n]
The report is available here: files.justice.org.uk/wp-content/upl… [15/15]
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