Horizon Redress and Post Office Update 2025-04-08

The Government have paid more than £892 million to over 6,200 victims of the Horizon scandal. We established a new compensation scheme for those with overturned convictions. The autumn Budget forecasted £1.8 billion in compensation from 2024-25 and 76% of claimants received substantial redress as promised. Fujitsu committed to contribute towards compensation, and an appeals mechanism is being introduced for HSS claims. The Government will provide up to £83 million subsidy next year for Post Office provision in every community across the UK.

While progress has been made, it was largely initiated under the previous Government with cross-party support. The overturning of convictions by Parliament and introduction of compensation schemes were key steps already in train. The HSS appeals system, fixed-sum awards for overturned convictions, and Horizon shortfall scheme were established during this period.

The Minister discusses the Post Office's transformation plan, including support for Nigel Railton as the new chair. He highlights the ongoing work on redress schemes for victims of the Capture programme and acknowledges the need to ensure fair compensation processes are in place. The Minister also mentions progress made with Fujitsu regarding interim payments and efforts to identify more claimants.

The Minister responds to detailed questions from the Opposition, including on Capture redress schemes, compensation for victims of mental health difficulties, interim payments from Fujitsu, and progress made by Ernst and Young in 2011-12. The Minister also discusses ongoing work with postmasters to improve the banking framework.

The MP welcomes the Government's discussions with Fujitsu but expresses concern about ensuring that the company pays an appropriate amount of compensation for its role in the scandal. He questions how the Government will ensure accountability and fair compensation.

The Liberal Democrat spokesperson welcomes progress made by the Government but calls for faster redress payment processes, clarification on tax exemptions for compensation payments, and an update on the statutory duty of candour. She also raises concerns about whistleblower protections and directly managed post offices.

Salford's Crown post office is a vital lifeline, especially for pension and benefit collection. Closing it would devastate the local economy and community, as services may be reduced and staff laid off. She asks what guarantees are there that Salford will retain all existing services and staff, and whether alternatives to franchising have been considered.

Reaffirms the Government's commitment to providing 11,500 post offices and maintaining service criteria. Assures communities that Post Office will continue operations in those areas and engage with local stakeholders like MPs.

Concerned about the pace of progress on Fujitsu, urging the Minister to take a stronger stance. Seeks assurance that efforts are being made to expedite resolution for postmasters affected by Horizon scandal.

Thanks the Minister for addressing Horizon scandal issues and asks about involvement of Communication Workers Union in decision-making. Requests a discussion on maintaining Cricklewood services without significant disruption.

Highlights brand damage due to Horizon scandal, affecting recruitment for future sub-postmasters. Asks the Minister to address community concerns regarding post office closures and to ensure that any change of location does not threaten existing services.

Proud of local campaign efforts but disappointed by traditional post office decline. Questions management’s commercial imagination in utilizing brand and network for new business streams like banking.

Inquires about discussions on third-party litigation funding role in Horizon scandal, questioning if current access to justice is being threatened post-Supreme Court judgments.

Thanks the Minister for maintaining Gloucester's vital services under franchise. Requests a meeting to discuss merits of new franchise staying in its current location due to future developments such as university campus and Forum facility opening.

Asks if there will be a formal community engagement scheme when directly managed branches are relocated, ensuring new services provided meet community needs and trust issues are addressed.

My constituents are served by Crown post offices in Brixton and East Dulwich. The concern is that franchises opened in place of Crown post offices lack oversight on whether they remain open long-term, and the need for local stakeholders to be involved in discussions about future services.

Emphasised the importance of engaging with local stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, regarding the future of post offices. Ensured that Helen Hayes would be consulted on the post offices outside her constituency boundary due to their significance.

Concerned about the potential closure of the Bexhill Crown branch, demanding a cast-iron guarantee from the Minister that any replacement must provide exactly the same services as the current branch.

Confirmed his expectation for the Post Office to replace the directly managed branch in Bexhill with a main franchise and reassured Dr Mullan about consultations involving local stakeholders.

Welcomed the Minister's meeting on saving services at the Kensington high street directly managed branch. Asked for guarantees on continuing service levels and a timeframe for transition to franchise model.

Reiterated his expectation that the Post Office will replace the branch with a main franchise providing Government services, but could not provide an exact timeline due to ongoing discussions.

Raised Tony Hibberd's case regarding wrongful dismissal from Colyton post office, seeking urgent review for a fair settlement reflecting the loss to his reputation.

Agreed to review Tony’s case and expressed willingness to ensure that complex cases are resolved fairly and as quickly as possible.

Thanked the Minister for progress on redressing victims of the Horizon scandal and sought reassurance regarding the reliability of the current system still in use.

Acknowledged ongoing efforts to replace the flawed Horizon system and emphasised that no criminal action is taken when there are shortfalls, with processes for resolving issues around shortfalls being introduced.

Discussed Donna’s case of bankruptcy due to the Horizon scandal, expressing shock over the deduction of interim payments regardless of how claimants spent their money. Asked for a review of this policy.

Offered to look again at Donna's case and write back to Vikki Slade after reviewing it.

Welcomed the retention of the Morley post office but sought guarantees on retaining all current services when transitioning to a franchise model. Emphasised the importance of consulting MPs regarding location.

Confirmed expectations for discussions involving local stakeholders and expressed willingness to engage with Mark Sewards if he had concerns about the transition process.

Emphasised the need to trust people over flawed computer systems, highlighting the unreliability of the Horizon scheme and urging for justice towards postmasters affected by the scandal.

Paid tribute to campaigners who exposed the Post Office scandal and emphasised the ongoing effort to address injustices faced by sub-postmasters.

Expressed solidarity with Horizon scandal victims and campaigned for continuation of services at Edinburgh City Crown post office. Sought assurance on the establishment of a franchise and consultations involving MPs and MSPs.

Emphasised the importance of local post offices to communities, particularly in light of bank closures. He highlighted the significance of stakeholder engagement and consultations in ensuring that communities retain access to essential services through post offices.

Expressed concern over proposed post office closures in Cosham, highlighting the need for local voices to be heard in decision-making processes. She welcomed the announcement of a franchise model but asked for assurances that all existing services would continue and that she could continue meetings with the Minister.

Confirmed ongoing engagement with constituents regarding post office closures, emphasising support for keeping offices on or near high streets. He committed to further consultations with local stakeholders in communities like Leighton Buzzard.

Asked the Minister about future plans for the Leighton Buzzard post office, seeking assurances regarding its continued presence on the high street and operating hours. He welcomed the commitment to community engagement.

Reiterated his commitment to ensuring that post offices remain accessible and operational in local communities, offering to meet with constituents like those from Chelsea and Fulham again if necessary. He mentioned the positive experience of a WHSmith franchise opening after a direct managed office closure.

Welcomed the Minister's support in saving the King’s Road post office, noting the importance to residents and the successful transition of services at another location. He requested that any new franchise should not reduce current service levels.

Confirmed the continuation of a post office service on King’s Road, expressing hope for extended opening hours based on previous experiences with franchises. He offered to meet again if there were specific concerns about service delivery.

Acknowledged the Minister's efforts in addressing post office closures and bank branch closures, particularly concerned about a directly managed post office closure in Wester Hailes. He requested meaningful consultation tailored to community needs.

Acknowledged the importance of stakeholder engagement and consultations for communities like Wester Hailes, expressing hope that conversations would address concerns positively.