Windrush compensation fund increased

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on Monday admitted that victims of the Windrush scandal have been badly let down as she unveiled increased compensation payments of at least £10,000.

A number of Jamaicans were victims of the scandal.

The Home Secretary announced that the minimum payments will be increased from £250 to £10,000, and the maximum to £100,000.

Ms Patel said in exceptional circumstances the maximum figure could be even higher.

Under the reforms set out on Monday, those who can show an 'impact' on their life from the Windrush scandal will get £10,000 immediately. 

They can then launch a full application which could lead to them being handed larger sums. 

It is thought that the value of the final payments could total from £90 million to £250 million.

The Home Office will start to issue some offers of preliminary payments, starting this week, while payments under the new rules will start from January 1, 2021. 

The disbursement of compensation for Windrush victims, who went to Britain from the Caribbean to work from the 1950s onwards, has been criticised for being too slow.