Bradford: The Windrush flag goes to the Caribbean

In 1948, the British Nationality Act gave people from what were then colonies the right to live and work in Britain.

Workers were needed due to the post-war labor shortage, and the Caribbean countries were also struggling economically. Many young migrants were attracted by better wages and opportunities.

The Immigration Act 1971 gave Commonwealth citizens living in the UK indefinite leave to remain – the permanent right to live and work in the UK.

This included the Windrush generation, but also people from other former British colonies in South Asia and Africa.

However, in April 2018 it emerged that the UK Home Office had kept no record of those who had been granted permission to stay and had not issued the documents they needed to confirm their status.

It also destroyed landing cards belonging to Windrush migrants in 2010.

Those affected could not prove they were in the country legally and were prevented from accessing healthcare, work and housing.

Many were also threatened with deportation.

A review of historical cases also found that at least 83 people who arrived before 1973 were wrongfully deported.

The government formally apologized and the Windrush Compensation Scheme was set up in April 2019, with around 15,000 people believed to be eligible.

But the scheme has been consistently criticized for processing delays, low offers and unfair rejections overturned on appeal.

It has so far paid out more than £80m in compensation to people affected, starting in February 2024, according to Home Office figures.

And 2,233 claims were processed, an average of £35,000 per claim.