Theresa May to consider compensation for Windrush migrants
At a rally in south London, Dianne Abbott called for justice and said we must "defend a generation that did so much" for Britain.
Saturday 21 April 2018 08:17, UK
The Government will consider compensating affected Windrush migrants, Theresa May has said.
The Prime Minister described members of the Windrush generation - who were invited to Britain to plug labour shortfalls between 1948 and 1971- as "British" and said "the UK will do whatever it takes" to resolve the current immigration row.
The Windrush generation was named after the ship - HMT Empire Windrush - that brought one of the first groups of West Indians to Britain, as the country sought to rebuild after the Second World War.
Anyone who entered the UK before 1973 is legally entitled to live in Britain, but many of the Windrush generation have recently suffered issues as a result of tightened UK immigration requirements introduced when Mrs May was home secretary.
:: What it's like to face deportation after decades in the UK
In some cases people have had difficulties when finding work, getting NHS care, accessing benefits, or trying to secure housing, as they do not have the correct documentation to prove they are entitled to live in the UK.
The number of confirmed cases being investigated by the Home Office is now understood to be 286, with eight people who have contacted the hotline being given permanent status.
In a speech to Commonwealth leaders, Mrs May said: "The UK will do whatever it takes, including where appropriate payment of compensation, to resolve the anxieties and problems which some of the Windrush generation have suffered.
"These people are British, they are part of us, they helped to build Britain and we are all the stronger for their contributions."
Hundreds of people gathered to show their solidarity with the Windrush generation at Windrush Square in Brixton, south London, on Friday evening.
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott addressed the rally, demanding compensation and calling for all those who have been deported to be allowed back.
She said a whole generation had been "turned into criminals and treated with complete contempt", and said that people of the Caribbean would "will not tolerate being treated in this way anymore."
She concluded: "We need to come together and defend a generation that did so much for this country and, overall, we need to come together and demand justice and we will not stop until we have this justice."
Despite the Government vowing to resolve cases within two weeks, their were also emotional calls for action at a meeting of the Windrush generation and their descendants in Parliament on Thursday evening.
Labour MPs David Lammy and Diane Abbott called for compensation for those affected, with Mr Lammy demanding an exemption for Caribbean and West Indian people in the UK.
The Home Affairs Committee has called the current Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, to give evidence next week.
:: The Home Office has set up a dedicated web page to help Commonwealth citizens confirm their status in the UK, which can be found . Alternatively, call the Home Office helpline on 0300 123 2241.
:: Are you a member or descendant of the Windrush generation? Sky News would like to hear from you.
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