As part of the University of Westminster’s Black History Year, an online event taking place on 20 June explored the impact of the Windrush scandal.
People arriving in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries are called the Windrush Generation, and the Windrush scandal began as it came to light that many of the Windrush Generation had been wrongly detained, deported and denied legal rights.
Organised by the University of Westminster Black History Year Group and the award-winning Westminster Windrush Justice Clinic, the panel, which was made up of Professor Patrick Vernon, leader of the campaign for a national Windrush Day, Windrush activist Charlotte Tobierre, and Dr Deborah Husbands, Westminster Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Lead for the University’s Black History Year Programme, explored the extensive impact the scandal had on some of the victims.
Professor Vernon has led the campaign for a national Windrush Day since 2010, and in 2018 he kick-started the campaign for an amnesty for the Windrush Generation in response to the Windrush scandal. Charlotte Tobierre is a Windrush activist whose father, Thomas, was born in St Lucia and came to the UK at the age of seven. She has campaigned extensively on his behalf since the Windrush scandal broke, particularly on the issue of occupational pensions, losses of which are not reimbursed under the Windrush Compensation Scheme. Dr Husbands is a socio-cultural psychologist with research interests in understanding the experiences of racially minoritised communities.
The discussion was led by Dr Husbands and focused on the challenges of compensation of the Windrush Scandal victims, as well as on the UK’s and the Caribbean governments' standpoint on the matter. Professor Vernon talked about his motivation for the campaign, with roots to his work as a primary school mentor. He took care of children who, despite their African Caribbean heritage, lacked knowledge about their ancestors. Charlotte Tobierre told the touching story of her father who after years of appealing, had to accept an unfair compensation offer from the Home Office due to his financial and family issues.
Professor Vernon also talked about how the government was not taking the issue seriously enough. The compensation scheme does not meet the needs of the victims and requires excessive evidence to be approved. Charlotte Tobierre stated that her father felt like he was trying to prove his innocence, rather than being compensated. “Many think that the scandal ended when people finally learnt about it, but if anything, now it's even bigger,” she said during the online discussion.
Professor Vernon provided a stark reminder that most of the Windrush generation were now elderly, and many had passed away without receiving the justice they deserved. The people who are still fighting are under a great amount of stress caused by the Home Office, instead of enjoying their retirement. According to Professor Vernon, since Teresa May’s public apology, there has not been much cooperation between the Caribbean and UK governments. Many of the Windrush victims have not even been granted British citizenship yet.
The panel ended the discussion with possible solutions for the future. Charlotte Tobierre believes that if we keep talking about these issues, justice will come eventually. She said: “Justice for Windrush victims will need to come in the form of an independent compensation scheme.” Professor Vernon added that many of the Windrush victims have not spoken up yet and encouraging them to tell their stories is key.
Dr Husbands said: “The Black History Year programme celebrates the achievements of Black people in and outside our University community while shedding light on the injustices they have experienced and continue to experience. We will bravely continue to highlight societal issues such as the Windrush scandal, and see this work as critical to the University’s aim of becoming an anti-racist institution.”
Leading up to Windrush Day on 22 June, the Windrush Justice Clinic also launched a research report on the unmet need for legal advice for people making claims under the Windrush Compensation Scheme (WCS).
The next Black History Year event will take place online at 6pm on 19 July. Find out more and book tickets for the event titled Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé in conversation with Black History Year.
