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Post Office Redress and Funding
18 December 2024
Lead MP
Gareth Thomas
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Justice & CourtsEmploymentNorthern Ireland
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Gareth Thomas raised concerns about post office redress and funding in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister provided an update on the Government’s efforts to address the Horizon scandal affecting postmasters. He highlighted that compensation has more than doubled since the Government took office, with £499 million paid to 3,300 victims and £79 million to 232 people from the Horizon convictions redress scheme. The Ministry of Justice had notified over 520 individuals in England and Wales about overturned convictions, with further notifications in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Government have asked the Post Office to write to over 16,000 former postmasters encouraging them to apply for compensation if eligible. New targets have been set for resolving complex cases within 40 days, and additional staff has been moved in to assist. Further redress processes are being considered for family members and employees affected by the scandal. The Government also responded to concerns about older systems like Capture with a Kroll investigation report and plans to develop proposals through stakeholder engagement. A Green Paper is planned for early next year on the future of the Post Office, along with £37.5 million in network subsidy.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
The shadow Secretary of State asked for clarification on the Kroll report's conclusions about criminal convictions, conversations with the Criminal Cases Review Commission regarding overturning convictions, timelines for redress for postmasters affected by Capture software, details about letters sent to potentially affected former postmasters, and contributions from Fujitsu. He also inquired about staff deployment and future funding certainty.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that additional staff have been seconded to assist with the compensation process but did not specify numbers or sources. Regarding funding beyond 2025-26, he stated that it relates to the current year up until March 2025 and provided no further certainty.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
The shadow Secretary of State welcomed the government's redress schemes but raised several questions including updates on conversations with CCRC regarding overturning convictions, timelines for Capture redress scheme design, progress in Fujitsu's contributions, staff secondments to facilitate compensation, and certainty about funding beyond the current year.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked for the willingness to collaborate. He informed that Kroll did not conclude on the safety of convictions but the Post Office is instructed to work at speed with CCRC. On Capture redress, consultations will be held next spring. Letters have been sent recently. Fujitsu’s liabilities are under Sir Wyn Williams’ inquiry report. £79 million has been paid out for overturned convictions, and network subsidy funding is for this year only.
Liam Byrne
Lab
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
Question
Welcomed the Minister's statement but pointed out that 70% of redress budget remains unpaid. Asked if many victims were convicted by Capture software and whether their convictions should be automatically overturned.
Minister reply
The Minister said they do not know how many people were convicted due to Capture, a small number is with CCRC/Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission. Post Office instructed to review records for 1991-1999 period and provide information as quickly as feasible.
Steve Darling
Lib Dem
Torbay
Question
Thanked the Minister, welcomed outlined steps but suggested an independent body for compensation. Proposed a duty of candour on officials and setting up an office for whistleblowers through Employment Rights Bill.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the hon. Gentleman's suggestions and shared anger over how sub-postmasters were treated. He noted Sir Wyn Williams' inquiry will publish recommendations soon, followed by government response within six months.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
Welcomes the Minister's announcement on Post Office but expresses concern about potential adverse impact on post office branches, particularly Kennington Park. Requests a meeting to discuss further.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concerns regarding post offices as essential community services and agrees to meet Florence Eshalomi to discuss specific issues in her constituency.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
Congratulates Lord Beamish on his new role, asks about progress or news regarding prosecutions for criminal conspiracy.
Minister reply
Echoes congratulations to Lord Beamish and confirms that the Metropolitan police has established a unit to investigate issues concerning Post Office operations; however, Ministers are not involved in such decisions.
Matt Western
Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Question
Points out delays and inefficiencies in the redress process, suggests automation for faster claims processing.
Minister reply
Introduces a fixed-sum payment of £75,000 to expedite the compensation process and encourages Post Office leadership to speed up claim assessment.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
Raises concerns about delays in Horizon shortfall scheme claims, asks for percentages of interim payments and full settlements.
Minister reply
Offers to review specific cases upon request; reports that compensation offers have been made with majority paid out. New applications indicate ongoing need for faster claim processing.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
Welcomes additional resources but questions complexity in claims process, suggesting a streamlined approach.
Minister reply
Confirms letters are sent to sub-postmasters for further information only to justify higher compensation payments. Aims to reduce stress on claimants during the redress phase.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Question
Discusses processes regarding Horizon and Capture software, mentions lack of detailed information.
Minister reply
Acknowledges responsibility to victims of the scandal; works with Post Office to identify potential victims of Capture and supports Criminal Cases Review Commission work.
Jacob Collier
Lab
Burton and Uttoxeter
Question
Raises case of Susan Cain, highlighting family's struggle for fair compensation post-exoneration.
Minister reply
Commits to establishing an independent appeals process for the Horizon shortfall scheme early next year to ensure fairness in compensation.
Vikki Slade
Lib Dem
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Question
My constituent Donna, audited through Horizon, was made bankrupt for a loss of £250,000 despite admitting fraud an employee who was later imprisoned. She has been offered only £20,000 from the final £75,000 fixed amount. Will the Minister personally look at Donna’s case and ensure she gets proper redress?
Minister reply
I would be very happy to receive further information from the hon. Lady and will endeavour to reply as quickly as I can. We are working at pace to settle complex cases, particularly with regard to the GLO scheme. All remaining cases by Christmas will have substantial redress paid out by the end of March.
Sean Woodcock
Lab
Banbury
Question
Will the Government commit to acting on the misuse and potential abuse of private prosecutions in relation to the Horizon scandal?
Minister reply
Yes, my hon. Friend raises a valid point. The Ministry of Justice is set to bring forward a consultation document early next year to address this concern.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
Does the Minister recognise the frustration of sub-postmasters who have waited long for redress despite legislation on quashing convictions and compensation schemes? Why do many people feel there is still reluctance from the Post Office to deal fairly with these cases?
Minister reply
I understand completely the frustration. There are four Horizon scandal compensation schemes, and the fourth scheme has begun paying out £79 million as of November end. The MOJ will complete its work by the end of January but we continue looking at ways to speed up the delivery of compensation.
Emma Foody
Lab Co-op
Cramlington and Killingworth
Question
Does the Minister agree that redress must address not just financial loss, but also reputational damage suffered by sub-postmasters due to the actions of the Post Office?
Minister reply
I wish it was an isolated example, but there have been many similar cases. We are working on speeding up the compensation process and will look carefully at Sir Wyn Williams' recommendations next year.
Shadow Comment
Andrew Griffith
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary of State thanked the Minister for his statement and expressed support for delivering appropriate redress to those affected by the Horizon scandal. He questioned the Minister on details such as timelines for redress, conversations with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, contributions from Fujitsu, additional staff deployment, and certainty of future funding beyond 2025-26.
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