Written statement on Chair of the Independent Panel for the Capture Redress Scheme and the Independent Reviewer for Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals - Dec 16

Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation (Blair McDougall): On 29 November, I launched the Capture Redress Scheme to provide payments to postmasters who suffered as a result of the Capture software.

Today, I am pleased to announce that the Government is appointing Judge Carol Taylor CBE as the Chair of the Independent Panel for the Capture Redress Scheme. Her role is to oversee appeals and governance across the panel's decisions. All appeals will be assessed by the Chair, who will serve as the independent reviewer. Judge Taylor will assess whether the grounds for appeal have been satisfied. She will also determine whether the eligibility decision or award should be amended or remain unchanged.

Judge Taylor is a former Regional Employment Judge with over 30 years of judicial experience. She has a distinguished career in employment law and substantial expertise in discrimination and compensation matters and is a champion of diversity. Her expertise will ensure that postmasters are treated fairly and in line with the scheme principles throughout the process.

I am also pleased to announce that the Government is appointing The Rt. Hon. Lord Carnwath as the Independent Reviewer for Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals. His role is to act as a final arbiter for Appeals claims, to assess whether the assessment of the appeal is substantially inconsistent with the Guidance and Principles; and/or reflects a manifest error, procedural irregularity or a substantive error of principle. Alongside Lord Carnwarth's appointment we have also published on gov.uk the names of the individuals who will make up the HSS Appeals Independent Panel.