Post Office and Horizon

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 4 Mar 2020 Closed: 27 Apr 2022 Parliament page
This inquiry explores issues emerging from the Horizon IT Court cases, looking at the impact on sub-postmasters and its effect on the future viability of the Post Office, and examining the lessons the Government and Post Office Ltd have learned from a scandal which saw hundreds of sub-postmasters accused of … Read more
20 Recommendations
9 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
15 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 21 events
27 Apr
2022
Report published
22 Feb
2022
Correspondence
17 Feb
2022
Report published
9 Feb
2022
Correspondence
11 Jan
2022
Oral evidence
14 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
8 Sep
2021
Correspondence
26 May
2021
Correspondence
29 Apr
2021
Correspondence
22 Oct
2020
Correspondence
7 Oct
2020
Correspondence
25 Jun
2020
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
11 Jan 2022
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Post Office
Carl Creswell · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Nick Read · Post Office Ltd Paul Scully · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Tom Cooper · Post Office Ltd
14 Dec 2021
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Oral evidence session
Alan Bates, former Sub-postmaster · Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance Dr Neil Hudgell · Hudgell Solicitors Jo Hamilton - Former Sub-postmaster Paul Harry - Former Sub-postmaster
24 Mar 2020
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Carl Creswell · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Nick Read · Post Office Ltd Paula Vennells CBE · Post Office Paul Scully · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rob Putland · Fujitsu Tom Cooper · Post Office Ltd
10 Mar 2020
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Post Office and Horizon
Alan Bates, former Sub-postmaster · Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance Andy Furey · Communication Workers Union Calum Greenhow · National Federation of SubPostmasters Ian Henderson · Second Sight Forensic Accountants Ron Warmington · Second Sight Forensic Accountants Tracy Felstead, former Sub-postmaster Wendy Buffrey, former Sub-postmaster
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Eighth Report - Post Office and Horizon - Compensation: interim… HC 1129 17 Feb 2022 29 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
29 results
1 Conclusion Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We are deeply disappointed that the 555 group action litigants, who took the Post Office...
We are deeply disappointed that the 555 group action litigants, who took the Post Office Ltd. (POL) to court and who exposed the Horizon scandal, should be worse off than other victims of Horizon who would otherwise not be in … Read more
Government Response
The government will make funding available to ensure postmasters who took part in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) case are not financially disadvantaged by their decision to litigate against the Post Office. They will be able to access similar compensation to that available to their non-GLO peers.
Department for Business and Trade
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2 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We demand that the Government as a matter of urgency commit to ensuring that the...
We demand that the Government as a matter of urgency commit to ensuring that the 555 are fully compensated for all of their losses on the same basis as other victims of this scandal receiving compensation. (Paragraph 17) Prosecuted Sub-postmasters … Read more
Government Response
The government states it acted by announcing funding to ensure GLO postmasters are not financially disadvantaged, will have similar compensation to non-GLO peers, and is consulting on delivery.
Department for Business and Trade
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3 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We are deeply concerned that, despite the efforts that the Post Office Ltd.
We are deeply concerned that, despite the efforts that the Post Office Ltd. (POL) has made to contact them, so few sub-postmasters have approached POL to begin the process of overturning ‘unsafe’ Horizon convictions. POL has conceded that this might … Read more
Government Response
The government will not set up a new independent body but will work with existing independent bodies like the Criminal Cases Review Commission to contact postmasters with Horizon-related convictions and offer support.
Department for Business and Trade
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4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that the Government urgently set up an independent intermediary body as a trusted...
We recommend that the Government urgently set up an independent intermediary body as a trusted first point of contact for those wrongly convicted because of Horizon, in particular for the 576 convicted sub-postmasters who have not yet come forward. The … Read more
Government Response
The government will not set up a new independent body but will work with existing independent bodies, such as the CCRC, to contact postmasters and offer support.
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
The Government must confirm how long it expects it to take for final settlements to...
The Government must confirm how long it expects it to take for final settlements to be made to sub-postmasters after they have received their interim payments. The Government should set out what criteria they are using to determine final payments, … Read more
Government Response
The Post Office aims to make interim payments within 28 days and final settlements are determined through individual negotiations. The government will provide principles informing the offers made and the approach adopted.
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that the Government provides monthly updates on the number of interim payments made,...
We recommend that the Government provides monthly updates on the number of interim payments made, the number of final payments made, and the range of Post Office and Horizon - Compensationn interim report 23 amounts paid out to reach full, … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the Post Office that it will publish monthly updates on the number of interim payments made and the number of final payments made on its website, and share the latest management information data with the Select Committee each month to enable the Committee to continue to track progress, subject to caveats regarding privacy.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Conclusion Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We are concerned that some sub-postmasters have been denied interim compensation payments despite having had...
We are concerned that some sub-postmasters have been denied interim compensation payments despite having had their convictions overturned. The Post Office Ltd. (POL) and the Minister noted that this is because the reliability of Horizon evidence is not central to … Read more
Government Response
The government states that interim compensation payments are available if specific criteria are met and that three claims have been declined because Horizon evidence was not essential to the prosecution.
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that the Government provides regular updates when compensation is refused for sub-postmasters who...
We recommend that the Government provides regular updates when compensation is refused for sub-postmasters who have had their convictions overturned, the reasons for this and if subsequent compensation is sought and awarded. The Government should ensure that POL provide us … Read more
Government Response
The government provides information regarding interim compensation payments, the criteria for eligibility, and the number of claims declined. It describes the confidential form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and BEIS's role in providing funding, agreeing on significant decisions, and monitoring progress towards settlements.
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Conclusion Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We are concerned that a firm involved with the discredited HBOS Reading scandal is involved...
We are concerned that a firm involved with the discredited HBOS Reading scandal is involved with the Historical Shortfall Scheme, and that the Post Office Ltd. (POL) CEO was unaware of the issues surrounding the HBOS compensation scheme. Though Herbert … Read more
Government Response
The government claims the Historical Shortfall Scheme differs from the HBOS Reading Scheme because consequential losses are in scope, there are opportunities to appeal, and there is an independent advisory panel.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
In responding to this report, we expect the Government to explain how the Historic Shortfall...
In responding to this report, we expect the Government to explain how the Historic Shortfall Scheme differs from the HBOS Reading scheme and what safeguards have been built in to avoid the problems that the latter scheme experienced.
Government Response
The government claims the Historical Shortfall Scheme differs from the HBOS Reading Scheme because consequential losses are in scope, there are opportunities to appeal, and there is an independent advisory panel.
Department for Business and Trade
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11 Conclusion Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
Offers to claimants should only be full and final where claimants have received independent advice...
Offers to claimants should only be full and final where claimants have received independent advice and have exhausted their rights to recourse to the Historical Shortfall Scheme’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process. We ask the Government to seek clarity from … Read more
Government Response
The government explains that postmasters waive no rights by joining the Scheme and settlement is full and final only if the offer is accepted, outlines the Scheme's process in its Terms of Reference, and clarifies that claimants are reminded to seek independent legal advice.
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We ask POL to explain how it ensures that the ADR process is fully independent...
We ask POL to explain how it ensures that the ADR process is fully independent from the Scheme, how many claimants have used it, and what the outcomes have been. We also recommend that the Government provide us with details … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the recommendation and refers to the Historical Shortfall Scheme's three-stage Dispute Resolution Procedure, including Good Faith and Escalation Meetings, but does not commit to any new actions beyond existing processes.
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
Bearing in mind the nature of the Horizon scandal—including the deep mistrust of its victims...
Bearing in mind the nature of the Horizon scandal—including the deep mistrust of its victims of the Post Office Ltd. (POL), BEIS and UKGI, its historical nature and issues surrounding the availability of records and a flawed IT system—we would … Read more
Government Response
The Government accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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14 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
In response to this report, POL and BEIS should provide details of who was consulted...
In response to this report, POL and BEIS should provide details of who was consulted in drawing up the Scheme, what issues were raised by those consulted, and how those issues were addressed. We also recommend that POL and BEIS … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it accepts the recommendation regarding details of who was consulted in drawing up the Scheme and what opportunities were given to claimants to raise concerns.
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
It is imperative that any victim of the Horizon scandal receives compensation that puts them...
It is imperative that any victim of the Horizon scandal receives compensation that puts them back in the position they would have been in had the scandal not occurred, whilst also taking accounting of the distress the scandal caused them. … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it accepts the recommendation regarding compensation for victims of the Horizon scandal.
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We share concerns about the process by which claims to the Historic Shortfall Scheme are...
We share concerns about the process by which claims to the Historic Shortfall Scheme are assessed and then reviewed by the Independent Panel. Bearing in mind that the Post Office (POL) bears a major part of the responsibility for the … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it accepts the recommendation regarding concerns about the process by which claims are assessed.
Department for Business and Trade
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17 Conclusion Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
The involvement of POL in any part of the Scheme is questionable because of the...
The involvement of POL in any part of the Scheme is questionable because of the history of the Horizon scandal. It is worth remembering that a key criticism made of POL at the height of the scandal was that effectively … Read more
Government Response
The government states it acted by announcing funding to ensure GLO postmasters are not financially disadvantaged, will have similar compensation to non-GLO peers, and is consulting on delivery.
Department for Business and Trade
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18 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that that the Government in consultation with POL set out the reasons for...
We recommend that that the Government in consultation with POL set out the reasons for involving POL in assessing claims, how this was discussed with stakeholders and how they dealt with any concerns stakeholders may have raised regarding POL’s involvement. … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We are disappointed that so few claims have been processed by the Historic Shortfall Scheme...
We are disappointed that so few claims have been processed by the Historic Shortfall Scheme considering it was closed over a year ago. The conclusion of only 30% of Post Office and Horizon - Compensationn interim report 25 claims does … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's disappointment with the slow processing of claims under the Historic Shortfall Scheme.
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
The fact that the Post Office and BEIS officials admitted that they underestimated the number...
The fact that the Post Office and BEIS officials admitted that they underestimated the number of potential claims is telling and indeed, troubling, and suggests that they may not have appreciated the true extent of the Horizon scandal. We acknowledge … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it accepts the recommendation that both BEIS and UKGI should be held accountable for their oversight role.
Department for Business and Trade
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21 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that the Government ask POL to set out and share stretching monthly targets...
We recommend that the Government ask POL to set out and share stretching monthly targets and outturns on how the backlog of claims is being addressed. We also recommend that BEIS and UKGI in their oversight role give monthly updates … Read more
Government Response
The government highlights the Post Office's increased capacity and targets for initial offers, including Minister Scully's ambition and Nick Read's commitment and states that while it agrees to provide updates on actions taken to ensure targets are agreed and met, it proposes doing so on a quarterly rather than monthly basis.
Department for Business and Trade
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22 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
It is worrying to hear that many of the claims awarded so far may be...
It is worrying to hear that many of the claims awarded so far may be towards the low end of the compensation scale. To dispel any fears that Horizon victims are not being compensated fairly we recommend that the Government … Read more
Government Response
The government has committed to publishing information showing the spread of average claims paid out so far with a commitment to sharing such details going forward to ensure transparency and trust in the Scheme. BEIS oversight of the appropriateness of offers made to claimants takes place through approval of the Case Assessment Principles, the weekly case review process and consideration by a Director-led Steering Committee.
Department for Business and Trade
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23 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
The absence of records held by the Post Office Ltd.
The absence of records held by the Post Office Ltd. (POL) and other relevant organisations, such as HMRC, DWP and the Royal Mail Group, along with an absence of local suspense accounts for individual POL branches, raises serious questions as … Read more
Government Response
The government stated it accepts the recommendation regarding the absence of records and how victims can evidence losses.
Department for Business and Trade
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24 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that POL shares details, with relevant examples, of how it takes the absence...
We recommend that POL shares details, with relevant examples, of how it takes the absence of information into account when it makes its initial recommendations for claims and how the Independent Panel reflects on such cases. We recommend that POL … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges challenges in evidencing claims due to lack of records and describes the Scheme's design to address this, including classifying unquantified claims and involving an Independent Advisory Panel. It also details the number of 'no award' claims and rejected offers.
Department for Business and Trade
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25 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We ask the Government to confirm that the burden of proof should not rest solely...
We ask the Government to confirm that the burden of proof should not rest solely with the claimant, not least because POL itself hasn’t kept appropriate records, including itemisation of which postmasters paid what amounts to individual suspense accounts. The … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts that the burden of proof should not rest solely with the claimant in the Historical Shortfall Scheme and that claims may be accepted even with evidential uncertainty if considered fair in all the circumstances.
Department for Business and Trade
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26 Conclusion Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
It is deeply troubling, given the historical nature of Horizon, its complexity as a flawed...
It is deeply troubling, given the historical nature of Horizon, its complexity as a flawed IT system and in many cases a lack of records, that some claimants seem 26 Post Office and Horizon - Compensationn interim report to be … Read more
Government Response
The government has agreed with the Post Office to publish information on its website regarding interim payments and provide monthly management information to the Select Committee, but will delay publication of final settlement ranges to protect claimant privacy.
Department for Business and Trade
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27 Recommendation Acknowledged
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We recommend that the Government liaise with the Post Office to establish how many of...
We recommend that the Government liaise with the Post Office to establish how many of the 2,500 claimants have been offered support through the Scheme, at which point support was offered, if costs were covered, how much was paid on … Read more
Government Response
The government says the Post Office is committed to providing adequate support to all applicants, including a well-being helpline, training for support staff, and a Historical Matters Remediation Team. The government provides oversight through regular meetings with the Post Office and challenges to the process.
Department for Business and Trade
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28 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We have recommended in this Report that the Government set up a properly resourced independent...
We have recommended in this Report that the Government set up a properly resourced independent intermediary to assist sub-postmasters seeking to overturn convictions and seek compensation. We recommend that this same body should also be tasked with assisting sub-postmasters who … Read more
Government Response
The government expresses concern that setting up an independent body would cause further delays, but it has advised the Post Office to take further action, including appointing an intermediary body to provide independent advice, assistance with routes to compensation, legal advice, and strengthened emotional and well-being support.
Department for Business and Trade
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29 Recommendation Accepted
Eighth Report - Post Office and Ho…
We look forward to receiving estimates from BEIS of the total expected cost of the...
We look forward to receiving estimates from BEIS of the total expected cost of the Horizon scandal and a full breakdown, including any costs paid by the Post Office Ltd. (POL) itself. We also look forward to seeing the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
The government claims it has already provided the requested information in a letter from the Minister, clarifying that the £685.6 million is maximum budget cover for compensation, not a direct grant to the Post Office and detailing what it includes.
Department for Business and Trade
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Government Response AI assessment · 29 of 20 classified
Accepted 14
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 12
Total 20 recs + 9 conclusions
Correspondence 15 letters
22 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from Nick Read, Chief Executive, Post Office Limited on compensation for victims of the Horizon Scandal
Parliament page
9 Feb 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets on costs relating to Post Office and Horizon issues
Parliament page
8 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets on compensation payments for Postmasters
Parliament page
26 May 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister to the Chair relating to the Post Office and Horizon IT Inquiry
Parliament page
29 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister to the Chair relating to the Court of Appeal overturning the convictions of 39 Postmasters
Parliament page
22 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister to the Chair regarding the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry
Parliament page
7 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Minister on the Independent Review into the Post Office Ltd Horizon IT system
Parliament page
25 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Minister on Independent Review into Post Office and Horizon
Parliament page
25 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Fujitsu Ltd on Post Office and Horizon
Parliament page
25 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Nick Read on Post Office and Horizon
Parliament page
25 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Paula Vennells on Post Office and Horizon
Parliament page
3 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Fujitsu
Parliament page
3 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Paula Vennells
Parliament page
3 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Nick Read
Parliament page
4 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to the Prime Minister on Post Office dated 3 March 2020
Parliament page