Action for Race Equality’s Windrush Justice programme supports over 1,500 individuals as concerns grow over falling compensation awards and rising zero-claim decisions
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Windrush Day, celebrated on 22nd June, established following a campaign by Sir Professor Patrick Vernon, recognises and celebrates the generations of Caribbean people who came to Britain after the Second World War.
Arriving as citizens from British colonies and commonwealth countries many helped to build essential public services, including the NHS and London Transport, having long felt Britain to be their “motherland”.
While the day is a moment of reflection and recognition, it remains a bittersweet one for many. The ongoing impact of the Windrush Scandal and the “hostile environment” policy continues to shape the experiences of the Windrush generation and their descendants, with many still navigating pathways to justice, status and compensation.
Over the past four years, Action for Race Equality’s £1.3 million Windrush Justice Programme has supported over 30 grassroots organisations delivering advocacy to Windrush Survivors. These community-based organisations have played a vital role in assisting individuals to regularise their immigration status and apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, supporting more than 1,500 people to date.
The programme was established in recognition of the barriers many faced in accessing Home Office schemes, particularly the complexity of application forms and the level of evidence required. Funding has enabled organisations that previously relied on volunteers to strengthen their advocacy support and extend their reach to support Survivors.
The latest official data shows that the Home Office had paid more than £127 million through the Windrush Compensation Scheme, across almost 4,000 claims by March 2026, with the National Audit Office reporting that the average payment over the life of the scheme is around £32,100.
However, frontline organisations and advocates continue to raise concerns about low compensation offers, claims being assessed as having zero entitlement, and the need for stronger legal support for claimants.
Advocates supporting claimants have also reported concerns about lower compensation offers, including cases where people receive £20,000 or less. Official figures show that, of 9,495 fully closed claims by March 2026, 6,239 had been found either ineligible or entitled to zero compensation.
Evidence requirements remain a significant barrier. Individuals are often expected to demonstrate financial losses over several decades without access to key records. Advocates highlight that increased coordination between government departments, including HMRC, could help ensure a more accurate and equitable assessment of claims.
Recent data indicates that “zero entitlement” decisions have risen to 58.5%, up from 54% in March 2026, raising further concerns about fairness and accessibility within the scheme. At the same time, many who do receive compensation are using funds to repay rent or council tax arrears accrued during periods of enforced unemployment or housing instability caused by the Scandal.
The organisation also welcomes the work of Windrush Commissioner Clive Foster in scrutinising the operation of the compensation scheme, including the increasing number of zero-offer decisions.
A call for continued Windrush support
ARE is part of the Windrush Justice Community Collective, alongside Age UK, the Black Equity Organisation, Black Lives Matter UK, the Runnymede Trust, Southwark Law Centre and the Windrush Justice Clinic.
The Collective is calling for the introduction of non-means-tested legal advice for Windrush Survivors to ensure equitable access to justice. We know that with the right legal support, claims can increase from zero to six figures – due to understanding the complex form and the evidence required.
As our Windrush Justice Programme‘s funding comes to an end this summer, we are calling on funders to continue investing in this vital advocacy work.
With the rise in zero entitlement decisions has come an increase in Tier 1 and Tier 2 reviews, processes for which claimants cannot access support through the Home Office Windrush Advocacy Support Fund. Without continued funding, many Survivors risk being left without the independent advice and representation needed to navigate these complex stages of the system.
