The Windrush Scandal

what is WIndrush Scandal?

People from the Commonwealth, who arrived in the UK during the post war-period up to 1 January 1973, are commonly described as the “Windrush generation”.

The term “Windrush” refers to the ship MV Empire Windrush, which arrived at Tilbury Docks, Essex in June 1948, bringing citizens of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, as a response to post-war labour shortages.

The Windrush Generation who were settled in the UK on 1 January 1973 were granted in indefinite leave to remain in the UK, under the immigration Act 1971. Under the immigration act 1971, this meant they were lawfully entitled remain in the UK but were not given a document confirming their right to enter or remain.

People who arrived in the UK many years ago and do not have documentation confirming their immigration status have faced difficulties in proving their right to work, to rent property and to access benefits and services to which they are entitled. The Government has apologised to people in this position and has made a commitment to help them get the documents they need.

Read our Windrush Justice Programme leaflet that provides more information on the programme and your eligibility to the Windrush Scheme.

To check your eligibility for the Windrush Scheme, please check out the government link below:

Introducing our partnership:

We are delighted to announce that we will be partnering with the Action for Race Equality organisation (ARE) to support individuals affected by the Windrush scandal, to make successful applications to the Windrush scheme. The Windrush Justice Programme is a three year programme of support launched in June 2022, by national charity, Action for Race Equality, for organisations providing vital advocacy services to those impacted by the Windrush Scandal.

Its vision is of a society where our communities are free from structural barriers and free to reach their full potential.

WIndrush Justice program Charity Workers

visit to the gurdwara and temple

Pritesh visits the Gurdwara in Smethwick, Birmingham to educate the Sikh Community about the Windrush Justice scandal and whether they are eligible for The Windrush Justice Scheme.

Pritesh also visits the local temple here in Tyseley, Birmingham to inform the Hindu Community about the Windrush Scandal, and how claimants can make their claim with The Windrush Justice Scheme.

visit to Church and mosque

Chandrashekhar visits the church in Sparkhill, Birmingham to educate the Christian Community about The Windrush Scandal and how eligible claimants can make their claim on The Windrush Justice Scheme.

Chandrashekhar visits a mosque in Birmingham, to educate the Muslim community about the Windrush Scandal and how claimants can make their claim to The Windrush Justice Scheme.

your commonwealth country is listed?

Confirm that your country is eligible

Who can apply

Group 1

Commonwealth citizens who were either settled in the UK before 12 January 1973 or who have the right of abode

Group 2

People of any other nationality who arrived in the UK and had indefinite leave before 1 January 1973

Group 3

People of any nationality, who arrived in the UK between 1 January 1973 and 31 December 1988 and who have settled status

Group 4

A child of a commonwealth citizen parent and the parent was settled in the UK before January 1973 or had a Right of Abode

If you are applying for the following:

Primary claimant
Close family member
Representative of an estate
On government website you will find the complete guidance on what forms to apply and which forms you should apply to.