- Conference
- 2024 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 22 February 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Conference remains extremely concerned about the UK government’s approach to providing redress for the victims of the Windrush scandal.
Conference notes the findings of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review led by Wendy Williams which concluded that the UK Home Office had shown “ignorance and thoughtlessness” on race throughout the scandal, that immigration regulations were tightened “with complete disregard for the Windrush generation” and that officials had made “irrational” demands for multiple documents to establish residency rights.
While the government initially confirmed an action plan to deal with the 30 recommendations from the inquiry, Conference is appalled that in 2023 the then home secretary, Suella Braverman, decided to abandon several of these commitments, including strengthening the powers of the immigration watchdog and running reconciliation events with Windrush families.
Conference therefore congratulates UNISON for securing the right to join the judicial review of the government’s decision to renege on these inquiry recommendations, working alongside members of the Windrush generation.
Conference calls on the National Executive Council to:
1)Keep up its pressure on the government to deliver proper compensation and other forms of redress for the Windrush generation;
2)Continue to fight against the racism experienced by members of the Windrush generation and UNISON members working across our public services;
3)Highlight wherever possible the central role that the Windrush generation played in helping to build the UK welfare state after 1945 and the vital part that migrant workers continue to play in keeping our essential services running.