For the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), the main uncertainty when calculating the overall settlement provision is regarding the volume of claimants. The Department told us that in order to establish the number of eligible claimants, the Post Office is writing to postmasters to make them aware of the Scheme and how to apply.11 The Department confirmed that as of 31 March 2025, 18,528 letters had been sent, with approximately a further 5,000 expected to be sent in 2025 to those not yet contacted. The response rate as of 31 March 2025 was 21% but the Post Office estimates that this will 4 Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme, HLWS43, 30 July 2024 5 DBT ARA 2023–24, pp 108-110 6 DBT ARA 2023–24, pp 107-110, 202-203 7 Q 1 8 DBT ARA 2023–24, p 200. ‘Combined Horizon Schemes provisions’ is reported under the headings ‘Post Office Limited’ and ‘Postmaster redress’. 9 Correspondence from Department for Business and Trade, 2 May 2025 10 Qq 12-15 11 Q 3 9 rise to between 25% and 30%.12 On the value per claim, the Department told us it has greater certainty over this figure, with 98% of applicants accepting the £75,000 settlement option.13