Get the Facts – Compensation Scheme for the Windrush Generation
May 17, 2019The Full Story
The Windrush Generation refers to immigrants from Caribbean countries such as Jamaica; Trinidad and Tobago; and Barbados, who went to the United Kingdom (UK) to supplement the labour force between 1948 and 1971.
The name Windrush is derived from the name of the ship, the SS Empire Windrush, which transported the first set of immigrants on June 22, 1948. These immigrants were not made UK citizens, but were allowed to remain in the country legally.
However, some of these persons and their descendants suffered losses because they could not demonstrate their lawful right to live in the UK. Many experienced loss of employment and/or loss of access to housing, education, or National Health Service (NHS) healthcare, leading to emotional distress or deterioration in mental and physical health.
Following much public outrage and advocacy by several groups, the UK Government has agreed to compensate those who have been affected.
Eligible persons are:
• Any Commonwealth citizen who arrived and settled in the UK before 1973
• Any person of any nationality who has the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions or is now a British citizen and arrived in the UK before December 31, 1988
• Certain children and grandchildren of those arriving before 1973 and some close family members
• Persons who were wrongfully detained or removed from the UK
Affected persons are advised to contact the Windrush helpline at 44 (0) 800-678-1925 from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Persons in Jamaica can send an email to WindrushCompensationScheme@homeoffice.gov.uk and request a call-back.
The application period, which began in April 2019, will last for two years.
For additional information contact:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
21 Dominica Drive
Kingston 5
Phone: 876-926-4220/876-929-6733
Email: info@mfaft.gov.jm
Website: www.mfaft.gov.jm