Thompsons Solicitors warn against risk of undercompensation of those affected by the Windrush scandal.
Following a letter from Home Secretary Sajid Javid to the Home Affairs Committee, more media reports today (Monday 6 August 2018) reveal that the Home Office is fast-tracking compensation packages to those impacted by the Windrush scandal to avoid legal challenges, as well as imposing non-disclosure agreements to prevent them from speaking out.
Thompsons Solicitors urged the Home Office to avoid fast tracking compensation payments when it submitted their response to the call to evidence on the Windrush compensation scheme, based on their experience of previous government compensation schemes.
Gerard Stilliard, Head of Personal Injury Strategy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Letters from the Home Secretary and subsequent reports of non-disclosure agreements highlight our major concerns surrounding the Windrush compensation scheme – namely, that the Home Office will seek to fast-track these cases to avoid damaging public legal action, resulting in undervalued claims for those whose lives were severely affected by the Home Office’s actions.
“Instead of avoiding these discussions, the Home Office must facilitate transparent discussions with the affected parties and their legal teams to ensure those who were mistreated receive the full compensation they deserve.
“By dealing with people in this way, the Home Office is letting the Windrush Generation down for a second time, following the scandalous treatment of British citizens threatened with deportation to countries which they may not even have visited since infancy.
“When the Windrush compensation scheme is fully implemented, it is essential that everyone who has been affected is fully heard and given the opportunity to have their case properly considered. This can only be achieved by ensuring individuals have independent, professional legal representation.”
Throughout its history, Thompsons Solicitors has been involved in numerous compensation schemes, including the CBE Scheme for ex-miners, and the firm worked on behalf of black asbestos miners in post-Apartheid South Africa, leading to a compensation fund of around £45 million for miners and their families.
Thompsons Solicitors has published a list of frequently asked questions for more information on the Windrush scandal.
Find free legal advice about Windrush compensation by calling Thompsons Solicitors on 0800 0224 0224.
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