Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which Windrush generation immigrants may be too afraid of deportation to contact the Home Office to regularise their status in the UK.

The purpose of the taskforce and contact centre is not for the purposes of Immigration Enforcement. I recognise the concerns of some people in the Windrush generation and I would not want anyone who has made their life in the UK to feel unwelcome or to be in any doubt of their right to remain here. The Home Office has no intention of asking anyone to leave who has the right to remain here.

I would encourage people to contact the Home Office. We have established a dedicated taskforce to help the Windrush Generation and other long-term residents to evidence their right to be in the UK and to access the necessary services and benefits.

Individuals can contact the Home Office, by telephone on 0800 678 1925 or by emailing commonwealthtaskforce@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

The Home Secretary has been clear, that this helpline and the information shared with it will not be used to remove people from the country. Its purpose is to provide help and support.