Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Report: UK 'unlawfully ignored' immigration rules warnings which created 'serious injustices' for the Windrush generation

A NEW report by the equalities watchdog in the UK has found out that the Home Office had 'unlawfully ignored' warnings that the Windrush generation might face 'serious injustices' due to changes in immigration rules.

The equality and human rights commission's (EHRC) report found a 'lack of organisation-wide commitment' to the importance of 'equality'.


It said that the 'hostile environment' policy had harmed many people already living in the UK.

"From 2012, this policy accelerated the impact of decades of complex policy and practice based on a history of white and black immigrants being treated differently," the report said.

The watchdog recommended that the Home Office should enter an agreement with it by the end of January 2021 to prepare and implement action plan to 'avoid a future breach', which the Home Office agreed.

The commission's interim chair Caroline Waters said that the treatment of the Windrush generation was a 'shameful stain' on British history.

The Windrush generation came from the Caribbean to the UK from 1948 to 1971. An estimated 500,000 people living in the country make up the surviving members of the generation.

Responding to the report, the Home Office said it was determined to 'right the wrongs suffered' by the generation.

"We are determined to right the wrongs suffered by the Windrush generation and make amends for the institutional failings they faced, spanning successive governments over several decades. We are already applying a more rigorous approach to policy making and would increase openness to scrutiny, and create a more inclusive workforce," said home secretary Priti Patel and Home Office permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft, in a statement.

The Labour party has said that the ministers should be 'deeply ashamed' of the report's findings.

"Ministers must work urgently to rectify this, including getting a grip of the Windrush compensation scheme, which has descended into an offensive mess, piling injustice upon injustice," Labour shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds told the BBC.

Satbir Singh, chief executive of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said that successive home secretaries had ignored the repeated warnings that hostile environment policies would lead to 'serious discrimination' and 'denial of rights' for people of colour'.

More For You

Exclusive: 'Starmer must fill NHS staffing defecit'
Dr Chaand Nagpaul

Exclusive: 'Starmer must fill NHS staffing defecit'

LABOUR's latest announcement to cut NHS waiting lists, while welcome, does not go far enough, the former leader of the doctors’ union, Chaand Nagpaul has told Eastern Eye.

Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, unveiled his plans on Monday (6). He pledged Labour would set up more NHS hubs in community locations in England, and the service would make greater use of the private sector to help meet the challenge.

Keep ReadingShow less
Exclusive: 'Stop spreading racial hatred'
Nazir Afzal

Exclusive: 'Stop spreading racial hatred'

POLITICIANS must dial down “dangerous and inflammatory” rhetoric and recognise the contributions of all communities in Britain, prominent south Asians have told Eastern Eye.

They are concerned that recent social media attacks on asylum seekers, immigrants, especially British Pakistanis, as well as ministers will lead to unnecessary deaths.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa-Nandy-Getty

The culture secretary retains powers to refer the case to the Competition and Markets Authority, which could trigger an investigation into press freedom concerns linked to Abu Dhabi’s involvement. (Photo: Getty Images)

Calls grow for Lisa Nandy to end Telegraph ownership stalemate

THE SALE of The Telegraph newspaper has drawn widespread political calls for culture secretary Lisa Nandy to intervene and end the prolonged uncertainty surrounding its ownership.

The newspaper has been in limbo for 20 months after an auction process initiated by RedBird IMI, an Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund, failed to secure a suitable buyer.

Keep ReadingShow less
illegal-migrants-getty

According to government data, over 36,800 people crossed the Channel in 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Labour government reports highest illegal migrant removals since 2018

THE LABOUR government announced on Thursday that it had removed 16,400 illegal migrants since taking office in July, the fastest rate of removals since 2018.

On taking office, prime minister Keir Starmer scrapped the previous Conservative government's scheme to send migrants who arrive illegally to Rwanda, instead setting up a Border Security Command to crack down on illegal migration – a huge political issue in Britain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nijjar murder

Accused of killing Nijjar, four Indians appear before Canadian court. (Image credit: Reuters)

Four Indians accused of Nijjar’s murder granted bail in Canada

ALL four Indian nationals accused of murdering Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been granted bail by a court in Canada.

The accused, identified as Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh, face charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Keep ReadingShow less