Overview
- The PHSO found the scheme mishandled Caroline Tobierre’s claim and communication over funeral costs, causing distress and lost time with her before she died.
- The ombudsman ordered £25,000 to Thomas and Charlotte Tobierre and prompted a review of the compensation scheme’s exclusion of private and occupational pension losses.
- Investigators said Thomas Tobierre was not fully compensated after being forced to cash in a £14,000 private pension when he was wrongly prevented from working.
- The Home Office said it accepted all recommendations, issued an apology to the family, re-established the Windrush unit and appointed a Windrush commissioner.
- Campaigners including Human Rights Watch called for free legal representation, noting Home Office data shows just over £115 million paid by July 2025 and that ombudsman cases have recovered more than £430,000 for wrongly denied claimants.