Govt drops Windrush commitments – ‘yet another betrayal’

Suella Braverman has confirmed that the government is dropping several of the main commitments that were agreed upon after the Windrush scandal was investigated.

In response Labour’s shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said the government’s dropping of key commitments is “yet another betrayal of the Windrush generation”.

“The Home Office had an opportunity to put its apology to the Windrush victims into action, but it is tragic that the Home Secretary hasn’t learned the lessons of that appalling scandal,” she added.

David Neal, the current chief inspector, said in a statement: “I am disappointed the home secretary has decided not to progress recommendation 10, since this presented an ideal opportunity to take stock and examine a number of issues relating to the independence and effectiveness of the ICIBI.”

He went on: “This is a missed opportunity to look at increasing powers regarding the publishing of reports as explicitly recommended by Wendy Williams.

“It is disappointing as well that no role and remit review will examine Wendy Williams’ recommendation that a duty be placed on ministers to justify the non-acceptance of ICIBI recommendations and that the chief inspector will not be able to work closely with a migrants’ commissioner when formulating his inspection programme, as the home secretary has also decided not to proceed with recommendation 9.”

What commitments?

Suella Braverman said she would not be creating the post of migrants’ commissioner, who was due to be responsible for speaking up for migrants and for identifying systemic problems within the UK immigration system.

Other promises that have been scrapped, include increasing the powers of the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration (ICIBI) and holding reconciliation events with the Windrush community.

Braverman said in her statement: “The Home Office regularly reviews the best way to deliver against the intent of Wendy Williams’ Windrush Lessons Learned review. As such, after considering officials’ advice, I have decided not to proceed with recommendations 3 (run reconciliation events), 9 (introduce migrants’ commissioner) and 10 (review the remit and role of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration) in their original format.”

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