Britain almost doubles Windrush compensation payout

Britain has almost doubled its Windrush compensation programme after complaints the sum awarded to victims was woeful.

Thousands of people born in the Commonwealth migrated legally to the UK as children in the 1950s and ’60s, but many were wrongfully detained, denied legal advice and threatened with deportation.

Home Secretary Priti Patel admitted members of the Windrush generation were repeatedly failed after being wrongly classified as illegal immigrants.

The UK set up the Windrush Compensation Scheme in 2019, through which more than £14 million ($19.7m) in compensation has been paid.

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But the government announced an additional £12 million would be made available.

In March alone, about £8m compensation was paid, more than doubling the amount of the the 20 months since the scheme was launched.

“The Windrush generation were repeatedly failed by successive governments and faced appalling treatment,” Ms Patel said.

“I have always said that I will listen and act to help those who suffered terrible injustices, and have been resolute in my determination to make sure they are fairly compensated.

“I overhauled the scheme last year and I am pleased to see we have now paid £14.3m in compensation. These changes are already having a real impact on people’s lives, with significantly more money being paid more quickly.”

Published statistics show that to the end of March 2021, the Home Office paid £14.3m to 633 people, £12.3m of which was released since December.

The sharp increase was driven by significant changes to the initiative. It now allows people to receive a minimum of £10,000 compensation – 40 times greater than previously.

In addition, the Home Office distributed the first round of grants from the Windrush Community Fund, which allows organisations to bid up to £25,000 to ensure all those affected are made aware of the support available.

It has now awarded 14 charities and grassroots organisations grants of between £2,500 to £25,000.

One group to receive funding is the Derby West Indian Community Association, in central England, which will generate awareness of the scheme through live and online events and hold an art exhibition at its headquarters and at Derby Museum.

It will host drop-in sessions at which members of the public can share experiences, and raise the profile of the compensation programme by networking with carnivals and other events that are popular among people from Commonwealth countries.

Another body to benefit is the African Pot Project in Manchester, a group that promotes social inclusion by working with people of African origin.

It said it would use the money to create animated films for African, Caribbean and other community groups, and promote these across social media channels.

Many members of the Windrush Generation came to Britain in 1948 after the government advertised in Commonwealth nations, mainly those in the Caribbean, for workers to help rebuild houses damaged during the Second World War.

They arrived on the Empire Windrush ship, which anchored at Tilbury Docks, Essex, near London.

Phase two of the Windrush Community Fund is now open for applications from organisations until June 30.

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AS IT STANDS IN POOL A

1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14

2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11

3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5

Remaining fixtures

Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am

Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm

Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
not be younger than 25 years old
not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Omania, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Conditions (PA) Dh85,000 1,600m
Winner: Brehaan, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Craving, Connor Beasley, Simon Crisford
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Prep (PA) Dh100,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Dahess D’Arabie, Connor Beasley, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Fertile De Croate, Sam Hitchcott, Ibrahim Aseel

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Sole survivors

Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
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Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
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Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Source: Can be carried from distant regions

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills