Victims of the Windrush scandal have issued an open letter demanding that the compensation scheme be taken out of the hands of the Home Office, arguing that the department responsible for the injustice cannot be trusted to deliver justice.
Open letter highlights ongoing failures
The letter, signed by more than 50 individuals and organisations, including affected families and campaign groups, calls for the scheme to be transferred to an independent body. It criticises the Home Office for what it describes as a 'shameful' lack of progress, with many claimants still waiting years for compensation.
Under the current system, the Home Office retains control over the administration and decision-making of the compensation scheme, which was established in 2019 after the Windrush scandal exposed how thousands of Commonwealth citizens were wrongly detained, denied rights, and threatened with deportation.
Delays and distrust
The open letter states that the Home Office's continued involvement has led to 'unacceptable delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and a culture of disbelief' that re-traumatises victims. It notes that as of early 2026, only a fraction of the estimated 15,000 eligible claimants have received payouts, with many facing complex application processes and insufficient communication.
Campaigners argue that the Home Office cannot be both the perpetrator and the arbiter of redress. They point to the independent inquiry into the scandal, which recommended in 2020 that the compensation scheme be administered separately to ensure impartiality.
Government response
A Home Office spokesperson said the department was committed to ensuring that victims receive the compensation they deserve, and that improvements had been made to speed up the process. However, the open letter's signatories remain sceptical, calling for urgent legislation to transfer the scheme to a new independent body.
The Windrush Compensation Scheme has so far paid out over £100 million, but campaigners say this is insufficient given the scale of the harm caused. The open letter concludes by urging the government to 'end this injustice' and restore trust in the compensation process.
