Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Post Office Horizon System: Compensation for Sub-postmasters

Thursday 25 January 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Over 153 million pounds has been paid to 2700 victims through three compensation schemes.
  • The government is reviewing the effectiveness of the whistleblowing framework.
  • Interim payments and full assessments including health impacts are available for compensation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Robinson Con
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Post Office Horizon scandal has caused significant financial and reputational damage to sub-postmasters due to the failure of the Horizon system.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to encourage sub-postmasters who were affected by the failure of the Post Office Horizon system to claim compensation. Over £153 million has been paid to 2,700 victims through three compensation schemes available.

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

Over £153 million has been paid to 2,700 victims. We encourage anyone impacted to use the three compensation schemes available. We have already published the details of the up-front £75,000 fixed-sum offer for group litigation order postmasters on the gov.uk website, created a new claim form, and written to all eligible members of the GLO scheme to explain the offer further.

Answered
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Q2 Jo Gideon
Employment Standards & Ethics
Context

A constituent, Kym Ledgar, received a settlement under the historical shortfall scheme but faced significant non-financial losses including stress and damage to reputation.

Question

The Post Office Horizon scandal has shocked the nation. My constituent Kym Ledgar received a settlement under the historical shortfall scheme, which did not take into account the enormous stress, extra work in balancing books, damage to her reputation, and lost income she had to make up herself. Does the Minister agree that we need to acknowledge wider costs of Post Office's behaviour? Will he meet me to discuss compensation reflecting these impacts?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

I apologise on behalf of the Government for what Kym Ledgar has been through. It is our intention that everybody gets fair compensation, including non-pecuniary losses. We have taken steps to ensure fair and swift delivery of compensation via an independent advisory board. Further action will be considered and I am happy to meet to discuss these matters.

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Q3 Mary Robinson Con
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Post Office Horizon scandal highlights the importance of protecting whistleblowers who expose malpractices.

Question

Post Office Horizon scandal highlights whistleblower importance. Alongside ensuring proper compensation, do we need better legislation to protect whistleblowers? Will he meet me to discuss how Government's whistleblowing framework review can support my Whistleblowing Bill?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

I thank Mary Robinson for her work raising whistleblowing issues. We are reviewing the effectiveness of the whistleblowing framework and will set out next steps in due course. I am happy to meet to discuss that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on whistleblower protection legislation not provided

How: Looking At This, Under Review

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Q4 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent faced significant financial and personal losses due to the Post Office Horizon scandal but has not yet received any compensation.

Question

I have a constituent who was forced to pay back thousands over 10 years, resulting in a six-figure sum. This is about pecuniary loss as well as impact on her family's life and reputation. She has not had any compensation through the shortfall scheme. I urge the Minister to ensure proper compensation.

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

The hon. Lady is right to raise that point. Yes, the compensation scheme compensates for financial and personal loss. Two routes are available: up-front £75,000 fixed-sum offer or full assessment of losses including health impact. Interim payments are also available. We have paid out £153 million in total across schemes. I am happy to help with that specific case.

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