The NAO’s report found that three schemes extended the time periods over which they are open to new claims after the schemes were launched, recognising that many eligible claimants had not applied within original timescales.42 It also found substantial variation across and within schemes in the time taken to resolve claims. There were 27 claims to the Windrush Compensation Scheme, as of January 2026, that had been in progress for between 12 and 18 months, and a further 15 claims which had been in progress for longer than 18 months, out of 528 claims in 39 Q5 40 Q 13 41 Q72 42 C&AG’s Report, para 9. 19 progress at the time.43 On the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, 2,049 claims were paid over a year after a claim was received—a fifth of all claims paid—and the longest claim settled took 1,395 working days.44