Windrush Day 2022

More than four years since the Windrush scandal was brought to light, human rights charity Praxis is concerned that, far from righting the wrongs caused to thousands, seeing the ‘face behind the case’ or transforming itself into a more compassionate institution, the Home Office is instead doubling down on a hostile and punitive policy agenda that continues to destroy lives.

Despite the Home Secretary’s claims of progress, a recent review carried out by Wendy Williams of the Government’s 30 commitments to change was damning, with only 8 out of 30 commitments fully delivered. Williams highlighted a lack of leadership on culture change at the highest levels of the Department as a particular concern.

Many of the specific measures put in place to right the wrongs of the Windrush scandal are still falling woefully short. The compensation scheme is too complex for many to access, while payouts are slow and not proportionate to the harm caused. Lack of free legal advice means that, in practice, the scheme is still inaccessible for most.