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RESOLVED:

1.      That
this Council notes that:
a)       
This year on the 22 June was the
75th Anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush, which in 1948
was the first crossing that brought hundreds of Caribbeans to the
UK during the post-war period to help the country rebuild, the
families of some of whom settled in Milton Keynes to the
city’s great benefit.
b)      
The Windrush Scandal which emerged in
April 2018 due to the Conservative government’s
‘hostile environment’ policy saw the British Home
Office deny residency rights and citizenship to many people who had
been living in the UK legally for if not most, but all of their
lives. Thousands of people across the UK were stripped of their
British passports, right to work, healthcare, and
benefits.
c)       
The Windrush Compensation Scheme that was
launched in 2019 designed to ensure those affected could receive
payments for the devastating effects on their lives has so far only
resulted in 1,518 people receive compensation for their suffering,
and a further 1,988 with eligible claims have been awarded no
compensation.
d)      
People have been forced out of their
homes and jobs, causing many to become homeless and fall ill as
they have had no access to healthcare.
e)      
The Compensation Scheme does not cover
any legal fees for any applicants making claims, this means that
for many who have been left jobless and in debt, they can’t
afford the legal representation they need to complete the
claim.
f)        
Where compensation has been received, in
some cases payments have been made only after the person has
died.

2.      That
this Council believes that:
a)       
The Windrush Compensation Scheme is not
fit for purpose, the 44-page long application form is complex, and
the requirements make it almost impossible for people to prove
their status.
b)      
The Windrush generation are victims
through no fault of their own, they were invited here by the
British Government and have worked hard all their lives, paying tax
and national insurance yet they are being denied access to
compensation.
c)       
The Government should make the scheme
more accessible, and as suggested in the Windrush Lessons Learnt
Review, the Home Secretary should appoint a migrant’s
commissioner and commit to holding reconciliation events with
people affected to listen and reflect on their stories.

3.      That
this Council resolves to:
a)       
Ask the Chief Executive of the Council to
write to the Home Secretary to:
i)         
ask for the Windrush Compensation Scheme
process to be simplified and for legal aid to be awarded;
and
ii)       
request the appointment of a
migrant’s commissioner and commit to holding reconciliation
events with people affected to listen and reflect on their stories,
as suggested in the Windrush Lessons Learned Review. 
b)      
Continue leading the way by celebrating
an annual Windrush Day in Milton Keynes to celebrate and recognise
the huge contribution of the Windrush generation and the community
groups here today that continue to support residents across the
city.
c)       
Ensure the appointed Ethnic Minority
Champion attends Windrush celebrations each year to mark the impact
of their contribution to Milton Keynes.