Windrush victims yet to receive payouts

THE majority of Windrush scandal compensation claimants have not received payments since a scheme was launched last April, new figures show.

Official figures indicate that, as of July, a total of £1,053,223 had been paid out in response to 143 claims under the Windrush Compensation Scheme, which was set up after hundreds of thousands of people from the Caribbean, and their families, were wrongly told that they were in Britain illegally.

The figures show Windrush victims have made a total of 1,480 claims since the scheme began in April last year.

Since the previous set of figures was published last month, five more claims have been made on behalf of victims who have died, taking the total to 65.

MPS have previously warned there is a risk of people dying before they receive due compensation unless the Government steps up its efforts.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has said the scheme is “complicated” and she wants compensation “sped up”.

Labour’s Nick Thomas-symonds, the shadow home secretary, said: “This is yet more damning evidence that Government ministers are failing the many victims of the Windrush scandal.

“The time for words from the Government is over – ministers need to get on and deliver.”

Ms Patel said: “I am pleased that the scheme has now paid out more than £1million and that a further £800,000 has been offered, but we are determined to go further and faster.

“It is my unwavering commitment to ensure that those whose lives were blighted and shattered receive the compensation that they deserve.”