Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what form the review of the Windrush Scheme: Support in urgent and exceptional circumstances policy will take; how long it will take for those applying under the Windrush Compensation Scheme to receive payments; and whether there will be specific provision in the Windrush Compensation Scheme to ensure those in urgent need will receive funds rapidly.

Paragraphs 9-11 of the policy statement on urgent and exceptional payments sets out that the Home Office will advise the claimant whether their application has been successful within 10 working days and earlier if possible. A letter informing them of the outcome will be sent within a further 48 hours and if the offer is accepted, any payment will be made as soon as possible and no later than 14 days.

Claims assessed by the Taskforce to be particularly urgent will be prioritised. The policy for the Windrush Compensation Scheme is still being defined, but timing of payments will be dependent on when individuals submit their applications.