London Assembly Calls on Mayor to Broaden Windrush Compensation Outreach to South Asian and West African Communities

The London Assembly agreed by 20 votes a motion calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan to ensure the Windrush compensation scheme reaches all eligible Commonwealth nationals, not only those from the Caribbean. Assembly member Hina Bokhari OBE proposed the motion, explaining: "Many people don't realise they were victims of the Windrush scandal because they aren't from the Caribbean." The Public Accounts Committee Chair raised concerns in 2019 that around 160,000 non-Caribbean Commonwealth nationals across the UK could be missing out on support. The motion asks the Mayor to: clarify publicly that the schemes support eligible people from across the Commonwealth, so their wider reach is understood; partner with the government, London boroughs, and trusted community organisations to identify and contact those who may have been missed; push the government to publish data on unmet need across London; and ensure access to free legal advice and prompt payment of full compensation. The Assembly noted that claims in progress had fallen by almost a third between June 2024 and July 2026, but expressed concern that Londoners of South Asian and West African heritage may mistakenly believe the schemes apply only to people from the Caribbean.