- Improvements to Horizon scandal redress schemes announced
today, including funding of legal advice for postmasters, redress
for close family members and a restorative justice
programme.
- Sir Gary Hickinbottom appointed as senior lawyer to oversee
the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
- The Government's response is supported by the Horizon
Compensation Advisory Board.
Redress schemes for postmasters involved in the Horizon scandal
are to be improved, as the Government formally responds to Sir
Wyn Williams' Volume 1 Inquiry Report today (Thursday
9th October).
Reforms will include the establishment of a new appeals process
for people who have accepted HSS fixed sum offers, with funded
legal advice for this. The Post Office will work to close the
Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) by 31 January 2026, to give
postmasters who have not yet applied more time to put in
applications.
Subject to further review, the Government will also look at
establishing an independent body who could oversee and manage the
redress for any future scandals.
Earlier this year, the Government announced it would move forward
with redress for close family members of postmasters who were
victims of the scandal. It also began work on a restorative
justice project - a form of professional mediation, where those
who have been wronged or traumatized work with those who caused
the trauma to provide practical solutions.
Today's response sees all but one of Sir Wyn's Horizon-related
recommendations accepted. To ensure postmasters' choices are not
unfairly restricted, the recommendation to close the HSS Dispute
Resolution Process has not been accepted. Instead, victims
themselves will be able to decide whether they would like to
remain in the HSS or proceed to the HSS Appeals Process.
Business Secretary, , said:
“We must never lose sight of the wronged
postmasters affected by the Horizon Scandal, which the Inquiry
has highlighted so well.
“There is clearly more to do to bring justice to those affected.
The recommendations we are accepting today will be a crucial step
towards this.”
Post Office Minister, , said:
“The Horizon Inquiry has provided a vital platform for
postmasters to share their experiences of a horrendous injustice.
The Inquiry's recommendations are a key milestone in correcting
past wrongs. By accepting them today, we are setting out a path
forward towards concluding this horrific scandal.”
Chair of the Advisory Board Committee, Chris Hodges
said:
“The Advisory Board was consulted in advance about the
Government's response. We agree that it is the right way forward”
Reforms accepted today will include:
- New appeal processes to be established, allowing
postmasters to seek permission from an independent person to
appeal against Horizon Shortfall Scheme fixed sum offers.
- Legal advice will be funded for those seeking such appeals,
including people who have previously settled for fixed sums.
- A suitably qualified senior lawyer will be appointed to
oversee the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
- The Horizon Shortfall Scheme will now close to new
applications on 31 January 2026, rather than the Inquiry's
proposed date of 27 November 2025, to ensure vulnerable claimants
have more time to apply before closure.
- The Government is publishing a clear definition of what
constitutes "full and fair redress" to provide greater clarity
for claimants and their representatives.
- Work has commenced on a restorative justice project for
postmasters and their families in partnership with Post Office
and Fujitsu.
- Post Office will also close the Suspension Remuneration
Review scheme to new applications.
The full response to all recommendations can be
found here.
Notes to Editors
- In the past 15 months, over £993 million has been paid in
redress – more than 5 times the total amount paid before last
year's election
- The Government will provide a full response to Parliament
once all parts of the Inquiry report are published.
