22 June each year will honour Caribbean people who migrated to Britain in 1948

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

A day celebrating the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants is to be held annually, the government has announced.

Windrush Day will take place on 22 June, the day when around 500 migrants from the Caribbean arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex in 1948 aboard the MV Empire Windrush.

It will be supported by a grant of up to £500,000, available to charities and communities wanting to hold commemorative and educational events.

The communities minister, Lord Bourne, said the annual celebration will help to “recognise and honour the enormous contribution” of those who arrived between 1948 and 1971.

“It will keep their legacy alive for future generations, ensuring that we all celebrate the diversity of Britain’s history,” he said.

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The move comes after the Guardian revealed how members of the Windrush generation and their children have been wrongly detained and deported and others denied access to healthcare, work, housing benefits and pensions. Some members of the British-Caribbean community have been left destitute by government policies that require employers, NHS staff, private landlords and other agencies to demand evidence of people’s citizenship or immigration status.

The Windrush Foundation’s director, Arthur Torrington, said the announcement was a moment of great satisfaction.

“It will cement in the national consciousness the important contribution of those who travelled from the Caribbean to Britain 70 years ago to build a better life and participate in making Britain a stronger nation,” he said.

Friday will mark the 70th anniversary of the first migrants disembarking at Tilbury. A national service of thanksgiving will be held at Westminster Abbey in London, and Birmingham will host a week-long programme that will include a Windrush lecture at Birmingham University, a children’s concert and civic reception and a thanksgiving service, parade and concert in the Lozells area of the city.

The home affairs select committee urged ministers last week to urgently set up a hardship fund to help Windrush victims who have suffered financial problems.

The MPs called for the fund after hearing the stories of victims including Anthony Bryan, who lost his job when he was told he was in the country illegally, and Sarah O’Connor, who has been unable to get work or claim benefits.

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Yvette Cooper, the Labour MP and home affairs select committee chair, said: “Some of the Windrush generation are facing destitution. People are having to settle legal bills, or are facing bailiffs due to debts run up when they were forced to give up work or had their social security payments stopped through no fault of their own.

“The government must step in to help people immediately. Due to the seriousness of this issue, the home affairs select committee has agreed an urgent short report recommending that the government create a hardship fund, immediately, for those of the Windrush generation facing financial difficulties.”

Ministers have agreed to set up a compensation scheme, but the process is likely to involve a consultation and a call for evidence from victims. Lawyers have begun preparing group compensation claims.

The number of potential Windrush cases reported to the Home Office has exceeded 5,000.