Community and faith leaders were brought together by the Home Secretary to advise on how the department can maximise the number of people applying to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

The Home Secretary co-chaired a meeting of community leaders today (Thursday 26 September), alongside Martin Forde QC, the independent adviser on the design of the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Those attending the roundtable were invited to join a Windrush Advisory Group, which will meet regularly with senior officials in the Home Office.

The group will aim to build trust with the affected communities so that people of all nationalities come forward to claim compensation.

It will also play a vital role in advising and shaping the Home Office’s ongoing outreach and engagement strategy on the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel said:

The Windrush generation were failed by successive governments and I want to ensure we reach all those affected through the Windrush Compensation Scheme through direct community engagement.

This is why I am enlisting trusted faith and community leaders from across the UK to raise awareness of the support available and to work with us directly on delivering this scheme.

By working hand in hand with our community partners the government will be able to provide the essential support to members of the Windrush generation and address the suffering experienced by many people across a range of communities.

Martin Forde QC, independent advisor on the Windrush Compensation Scheme said:

There have been a number of misleading claims made about the compensation scheme, but these could not be further from the truth. The scheme has been designed to be easy to use, generous and sympathetic to the experiences of those who suffered.

So my message is clear, if you feel you have suffered in any way please come forward and make a claim.

The Home Secretary and Martin Forde stressed the importance to all those who have suffered to come forward so they can be helped to evidence their status in the UK and to engage with the compensation scheme.

The Home Secretary also emphasised to community leaders that Immigration Enforcement will not take action against an individual as a result of them coming forward to the Taskforce or applying for the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

The Home Office is holding and attending a series of public events around the country, to reach those who have been impacted by Windrush and ensure they are aware of the help that is available to them.

There have been over 20 events since April 2019. Members of the Commonwealth Citizens’ Taskforce and the Windrush Compensation Scheme are on hand at these events to explain what help and support is available and how to make a claim.

The Windrush Compensation Scheme was launched in April this year to provide payments to eligible individuals who did not have the right documentation to prove their status in the UK and suffered adverse effects on their life as a result.

It is open to almost anyone from a Commonwealth country who arrived and settled in the UK before 1973. Certain children and grandchildren of those arriving before 1973 and some close family members may also be eligible to apply.

It is also open to anyone from any nationality who has the right to live or work in the UK without any restrictions or is now a British Citizen, and arrived in the UK before 31 December 1988.

Read more information on Windrush Compensation Scheme community events and the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

Individuals can apply to the Windrush Compensation Scheme by downloading the claim form.

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Work will be carried out improving the footpath and cycle route near to junction 10 of the M6 to ensure the safety of local people and provide an alternative route when major works get under way on the Walsall roundabout.

Local people and businesses are invited to a public information event on Friday 11 October to find out more about the new Connecting Bentley route. This will bring improvements for pedestrians and cyclists along Bloxwich Lane, Churchill Road and Queen Elizabeth Avenue, creating an improved continuous link to the north of M6 junction 10.

The work will be carried out thanks to a ring-fenced fund provided by Highways England to address issues beyond the traditional roads investment.

Designated Funds are allocated to schemes that improve the surroundings of the Highways England road network and benefit those who live and work alongside it.

When the main construction works for the £78 million upgrade of junction 10 are under way, access for pedestrians and cyclists will be restricted in the area and an alternative route will be needed.

The upgrade of the junction will ease congestion at the notorious bottleneck in Walsall and is due to start in the new year. The bridges over the motorway are to be replaced, increasing the junction to four lanes, and avoiding the need for extensive maintenance as it is now over 50 years old.

This is a joint venture between Highways England and Walsall Council, supported by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.

The improvements being carried out as part of the new Connecting Bentley route include:

• Footpath widening – improving access for people with pushchairs and wheelchair users as well as creating additional capacity to accommodate cyclists.
• Pedestrian crossings – the installation of new LED Belisha beacons which improve safety by providing increased illumination during bright sunny days and reduced glare at night through automatic light dimming. Also high friction surfacing on the approach to crossings which reduces skidding.
• School safety – the existing ‘School Zone’ on Churchill Road will be upgraded to allow for new interactive signage which will illuminate during school hours warning drivers of the presence of pupils.
• Improvements to existing street lighting – we will install LED lights which last longer and use less energy as well as bringing improved visibility. Installation of LED street lighting has proved successful in reducing crime rates.

The scheme will link in with the existing cycle route on Churchill Road and the cycle improvement measures installed as part of a recent Local Safety Scheme on Bloxwich Lane.

The work, which starts on Saturday 26 October, will involve some temporary traffic lights and lane closures to enable the upgrade to be carried out safely. It should be completed by the end of March 2020.

More information is available at the public information event taking place on Friday 11 October between 2pm and 6pm outside the shops in the Bentley Public Realm area.

Highways England Project Manager David Reed said:

We understand that major schemes such as the much-needed upgrade of junction 10 can cause disruption for local communities and we appreciate people’s patience.

Our designated funds enable us to provide environmental, social and economic benefits to the people, communities and businesses who live and work alongside our strategic road network.  

This particular project will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and schoolchildren in the area not only during the junction 10 works but beyond.

Deputy Leader of Walsall Council Adrian Andrew said:

The improvements to junction 10 will transform journeys for residents and commercial traffic. These additional improvements bring benefits to the wider community providing a safer environment for cyclists and schoolchildren alike.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

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Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

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