Following intervention from the Business, Energy and Industrial
Strategy Committee, the Government has conceded compensation for
sub-postmasters caught up in the Horizon scandal must be fair for
all and cover all consequential losses.
In its response to the Committee’s Post Office and Horizon
Interim Report published today, the Government accepted many of
the report’s core recommendations, including a regular reporting
of the progress of compensation claims and a commitment that the
burden of proof should not rest on the claimant.
Committee Chair said, “We welcome the
Government’s commitments to fully compensate victims, including
the 555 sub-postmasters who brought the case that exposed the
scandal, and to publish regular reports on compensation payments.
This is a victory to redress the injustices suffered over many
years by sub-postmasters across the country who used Horizon in
good faith while it was making errors. They have paid for the
Post Offices and Fujitsu’s mistakes with their reputations,
livelihoods, and in some cases, their lives.
We will be monitoring progress on settling compensation claims
and will hold the Post Office and the Government to account if
they fail to deliver on their promises.
However, the Government did push back on our recommendation to
create a new overarching independent body to be the first point
of contact for the victims of the scandal, who may be wary of the
Post Office. The Government states that it has asked existing
bodies, such as the Criminal Cases Review Commission, to reach
out to sub-postmasters. It has also encouraged the Post Office to
appoint an intermediary body to provide independent advice to
postmasters who come forward, including assistance with accessing
compensation, legal advice and improved emotional and well-being
support. We will be seeking further clarity on these steps and
their effectiveness going forward.”
Between 2000 and 2014 more than 700 sub-postmasters were given
criminal convictions after faulty accounting software falsely
showed that their Post Office branches were missing money and
thousands more used their own money to plug gaps caused by
Horizon. In 2019, the Post Office settled with a group of 555
sub-postmasters, which was shortly followed by a High Court
judgement that the system had contained defects. Though the 555
were awarded compensation, much of this was used to pay legal
fees. Since the ruling, 72 former sub-postmasters have had their
convictions overturned so far. In addition, there have been 2,522
applications to the Post Office Historical Shortfall Scheme, of
which 2,367 (94%) have been ruled as eligible. Of the
latter, 1,210 offers have been made (51% of eligible claims) with
892 payments actioned (38% of eligible claims).
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Government’s response to the interim report is attached
to this email.
- The Committee’s Post Office and Horizon Interim Report
published on 17 February can be found here.
- The Government confirmed on 22 March that it would compensate
the 555 for all loses in their case for justice against the Post
Office.
- On 21 February 2022, Criminal Cases Review Commission agreed
to approach 172 convicted postmasters not successfully reached by
the Post Office.
