On Thursday 29 February, members of the House of Lords debated the Windrush scandal and the implementation and effectiveness of the Windrush Compensation Scheme.
Debate
Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrats), broadcaster and former chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee, put forward the debate.
This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government’s attention to concerns.
Opening the debate, Baroness Benjamin said:
‘The Windrush generation should be defined not by the scandal but by the enormous contribution they have made to Britain…The Home Office scandal caused by the hostile environment policy resulted in untold harm to the hard-working people of the Windrush generation.’
Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Home Office, responded on behalf of the government:
‘We cannot turn back the clock, but we can strain every sinew to provide the people affected with the help they need and the compensation they deserve, while ensuring that the failings that happened previously can never be repeated.’
