The dysfunctional Home Office needs a complete overhaul in light of the Windrush scandal

letters@independent.co.uk

It is official that laws were broken: those affected by the Windrush scandal had their lives turned upside down, if not entirely ruined.

The hostile environment measures broke the law, and the Windrush generation and any of us who have viewed dramas based on facts, as well as documentaries, will have appreciated that this was the case all along. I watched in tears and mounting anger when these British citizens were pilloried, deported, and generally had their lives turned upside down, if not entirely ruined. 

It does also appear that lessons have indeed not been learned because the amount of compensation paid to these men and women thus far is pitiful. This scandal was exacerbated recently when Alexandra Ankrah resigned from the compensation scheme, in despair and anger not only for its inherent inefficiencies but its blatant lack of compassion and transparency.

This is again another damning report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and needs attention at the highest level. The home secretary and the dysfunctional Home Office needs a drastic overhaul, or this country will have the unenviable worldwide reputation of breaking the law, not only casually, cruelly but catastrophically.

Judith A. Daniels

Norfolk

Christmas socialising

It can only be hoped that the majority of the public will have the common sense not to meet up with all their relatives at Christmas, as they are being encouraged to do by the government. 

When we are in the midst of a second wave of virus infection, and hospitals are full to bursting, this is no time to be giving deadly gifts to vulnerable family members, or to be spreading infections around the country. Better to await the results of a nationwide vaccination programme and then all have a big safe get together. 

Missing one Christmas in our lifetimes won't kill us but Covid-19 may well. 

G Forward

Stirling 

Vaccine reassurance

It is wonderful news that a coronavirus vaccine is getting closer, but uptake may be limited by suspicion among the general populace, often fuelled by unfounded conspiracy theories. As the vaccine is rolled out, a concerted programme of public communication, reassurance and explanation will be vital to maximise vaccination coverage. Conspiracy theory videos are very good at brainwashing people. Mainstream science needs to get equally good at explaining the evidence-based reality.

Dr. Daniel Emlyn-Jones


Oxford

New perspectives

Every year in the run-up to Christmas we hear a lot about what a strain it can be for families to spend the time together. Young people can’t wait to get back to university, relatives are relieved to put great aunt Ethel back in her box for another year, and divorce applications rise in January. And this year? Everyone it seems is longing to see and spend time with their loved ones. Has the lockdown taught us something?

Gillian Cook

Market Harborough

Useless cronies

Yesterday Boris Johnson demonstrated that he can't even read from a notepad without "umming" and "erring" in a news presentation. 

He has demonstrated he has no leadership over Priti Patel and the bullying allegations. Perhaps he unintentionally failed to sack her. He has no grasp of irony. This was followed by him ordering Tory MP's to "form a wall" around "the Prittster". That is the sort of word schoolchildren use. Then the email telling people not to bully each other? What is that if it's not bullying? 

Now we have the dithering over Xmas: he's prepared to put people and progress second over pandering to certain MP's and popularity with the "public". 

Now we've got the unintentional return of austerity – except it's not austerity, it's saving the economy. Wonder if THEY are going to forego pay rises? Of course not, what am I thinking – that they've got integrity and ethics? What a useless leader and what a useless bunch of cronies. Mind you, I shouldn't be surprised: he can't even shave a piece of wood
.

R Kimble

Leeds

EU deal

Boris Johnson has said repeatedly that he wants the EU to give the UK the same deal that the union has with Canada. That EU/Canada deal has now been rolled over so that it also applies between the UK and Canada.

In what way, then, does it differ from the deal that the EU and the UK have been arguing over for months now?

Helen Bore

Scarborough