Lord Dholakia: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in settling claims under the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
In response to the question moved by Lord Dholakia, Lord Sheikh asked:
My Lords, about 12,000 people are expected to claim under the compensation scheme. Nine have died before receiving any compensation and, unfortunately, there may be more deaths before the payments are made. Can my noble friend the Minister explain the Government’s plans to support the bereaved families?
Baroness Williams of Trafford (The Minister of State, Home Office):
I have to agree with my noble friend that someone dying before they receive compensation is absolutely tragic. Of course, we would work with the next of kin to ensure that any compensation due to that person is paid to the next of kin or to the designated chosen person. The point is that it is not acceptable that people die before they get the compensation they deserve. It is incumbent upon the Home Office to ensure that these claims are expedited more quickly than they have been.