-
New redress scheme opens for postmasters who suffered due to
the Post Office's Capture accounting software.
-
Scheme was designed with input from victims to ensure it can
deliver redress as swiftly as possible, including immediate
preliminary payments for eligible claimants before full
assessment by an independent panel
-
Scheme will be tested for first 150 claimants before full
roll-out.
Postmasters that suffered shortfalls as a result of the faulty
Capture accounting software are able today (Wednesday 29th
October) to apply for redress as the Government launches its new
Capture Redress Scheme.
The scheme follows the Government's acceptance of findings of an
investigation by independent forensic accountants Kroll
Associates, which concluded there was a reasonable likelihood
that Capture, in use at Post Office branches between 1992 and
2000, created financial shortfalls for postmasters.
In some cases, this left postmasters using their own savings to
make up the difference.
The scheme was designed hand in hand with affected postmasters,
whilst also taking lessons into account from redress schemes for
the victims of the Horizon IT Scandal. As of the end of
September, the Horizon redress schemes have paid out over £1.2
billion to more than 9,000 victims, with further support
announced as part of the Government's response to Sir Wyn
William's Volume 1 Inquiry report.
Eligible postmasters will receive immediate preliminary payments
of £10,000 upon confirmation of eligibility, with an independent
panel then assessing final awards through a banding model ranging
from £10,000 to £300,000. In exceptional cases, awards may exceed
the upper limit.
The scheme launches with an initial phase for 150 claimants to
ensure the process is fair and accessible before wider
implementation. All awards will be tax-exempt and disregarded for
means-tested benefits.
Post Office Minister said:
After over two decades of fighting for justice, postmasters and
their families will finally receive recognition and recompense
for the lives and livelihoods that Capture destroyed.
I'd like to thank all of those victims who have helped us to
design this scheme, allowing us to deliver on our promise of
providing redress today.
We can't make up for everything they have lost, but today we
begin restoring some of the dignity so cruelly taken away by this
scandal.
The scheme is open to affected postmasters that do not have a
criminal conviction related to Capture. For those who may have
criminal convictions related to Capture, the appropriate route is
through the Criminal Cases Review Commission or its Scottish
equivalent. If any convictions related to Capture are identified
as unsafe and overturned by the courts, the Government will
ensure that appropriate redress is given.
Applications to the Capture Redress Scheme can be made via GOV.UK
with full guidance available online about how the process works.
Please find this here.
