Last month, we paid tribute to the contribution of our Black community in this country, both in our past and in our future.
If one moment has come to symbolise that story, it is the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948. The Windrush generation, who came on that ship and others thereafter, left the Caribbean for Britain. Here, they helped a Labour Government build a New Jerusalem from the ashes of the Second World War. When we needed them, they were there for us.
Many years later, after decades contributing to this country, the last Conservative Government had the chance to stand by them. Instead, they abandoned them. People who had given so much to our country, over so many years, were treated as illegal immigrants in their own home. The Windrush scandal will forever be a stain on our history, and on the legacy of the last Conservative Government.
For those affected, the delays, the uncertainty, and the injustice have caused immense pain. Now, I am determined to put things right – and not just with words, but through action.
We have re-established a dedicated Windrush Unit in the Home Office to ensure support reaches those who need it most. We have also now launched a £1.5 million advocacy fund, to ensure the voices of those affected are always heard.
Crucially, we are paying compensation to those affected. In the last few weeks, I announced that Windrush victims can now receive most of their compensation upfront. Elderly and vulnerable claimants will be prioritised for rapid support. We are also extending the scheme to cover lost pension contributions, for those who had to withdraw their savings to fund their quest to prove their lawful immigration status.
The harm that was done to the Windrush generation can never be fully undone. But we can and must do everything in our power to right this historic wrong. That is what this Labour Government is doing. That is the difference a Labour government makes.
In contrast, Reform is now threatening to pursue the path of the Windrush scandal all over again. Their divisive plans to strip people of their settled status – which allows them to live in this country for good – is a gross betrayal of who we are in this country. It would tear families apart, separating children from their parents. It would do untold harm to our public services, not least the NHS. And it would cause untold damage to our communities. It is the action of those who seek a littler England, not a greater Britain.
Labour will always fight for those who have been left behind. We will always deliver justice where it has been denied.
Shabana Mahmood MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood
Home Secretary