The Home Secretary Priti Patel and Bishop Derek Webley have penned a joint op-ed on the new Cross-Government Working Group to address challenges faced by the Windrush generation and their descendants, which featured in the Evening Standard.
Op-ed
Over seven decades ago Britain welcomed hundreds of people from the Caribbean and wider Commonwealth who came to help rebuild this country after the Second World War.
Those first arrivals on the SS Empire Windrush were followed by thousands more who willingly answered our call for help.
A generation who helped to reinvigorate this great country and to shape the very fabric of our society.
Who strengthened our public services, enriched our culture, and did so much to make Britain the diverse, vibrant and successful country it is today.
A generation to whom we all owe a great deal, but who were badly let down over many years.
Shameful treatment over decades that the Government has apologised for and resolved to put right.
Watching the moving story of Anthony Bryan on Sitting in Limbo recently was a stark reminder of the terrible human cost of the Windrush scandal.
Unimaginable suffering and injustices that were highlighted in March by the independent Windrush Lessons Learned Review.
The Government is taking decisive action to right the terrible wrongs suffered by the Windrush generation, but there is clearly much more to do.
Together we are resolved to ensure that nothing like this scandal can ever happen again.
Sadly, this is now more important than ever.
We were both sickened by the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of US police and recognise the strength of feeling over the injustices sadly still experienced by minority communities today.
Racism and discrimination have absolutely no place in our society and we refuse to tolerate them in any form.
There is much more to do to combat inequalities in this country and to support social justice.
And it is right that we advance these issues in a constructive, sensitive and responsible way.
We know that the best way to make sure we reach all those affected is by listening to them and hearing their voices.
That is why we are both delighted to be launching the new Windrush Cross-Government Working Group.
As co-chairs, we are bringing together people from across the communities most affected by Windrush to contribute their experiences and expertise.
The panel will consider the action needed to support the Windrush Generation and address the challenges facing black and ethnic minority people across society in education, work and health.
It will sit separately, but will work alongside, the new Race Equality Commission being set up by No 10 to ensure we find sensible, constructive and responsible solutions quickly.
The Prime Minister shares our mission to learn from the past and eradicate racism and discrimination in any form, and together we will meet members of the Windrush Generation at Downing Street today.
Our ears are open, and we are listening and learning, to ensure a scandal of this nature can never be repeated.
Windrush Day is an opportunity to come together to celebrate those who have contributed so much to our country.
Let’s honour them by continuing to learn from the past and to moving towards a fairer future.
By Home Secretary, Priti Patel and Bishop Derek Webley.