Only 60 people have received compensation payments under the Windrush scheme in its first year, with just £360,000 distributed from a fund expected to pay out between £200 million and £500 million, according to Home Office figures released on Thursday.
The slow pace of compensation has raised concerns among support groups, who report that many claimants face difficulties providing the high level of documentary evidence required. One individual received a payment of more than £100,000, while the other 59 recipients averaged £4,400, though the Home Office stresses many are interim payments with further instalments expected.
By the end of March, 1,275 people had applied under the scheme. Many victims remain in financial hardship after being sacked, evicted, or detained due to the Home Office's 'hostile environment' policy, introduced by Theresa May when she was home secretary. Over 160 people were mistakenly removed from the UK.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: 'By listening to feedback from community leaders and those affected, we have begun to put right the wrongs caused to a generation who have contributed so much to our country.' The Home Office added that a further £280,000 in compensation had been offered but not yet paid out, and 23 people have been deemed ineligible.
Elwaldo Romeo, coordinator of Windrush Action, said he was 'very disappointed' by the slow progress but urged affected individuals to come forward. Judy Griffith, who was told by a jobcentre employee she was an illegal immigrant 52 years after moving to the UK, is among those still waiting.
