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
13 Recommendations
16 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
15 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 25 events
27 Apr
2022
Report published
22 Feb
2022
Correspondence
17 Feb
2022
Report published
9 Feb
2022
Correspondence
11 Jan
2022
Oral evidence
11 Jan
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
14 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
14 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
8 Sep
2021
Correspondence
26 May
2021
Correspondence
29 Apr
2021
Correspondence
22 Oct
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
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 has acted on this issue. The Government announced on 22 March 2022 that it will make funding available to ensure postmasters who took part in the Group Litigation … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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2 Conclusion
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 has acted on this issue. The Government announced on 22 March 2022 that it will make funding available to ensure postmasters who took part in the Group Litigation … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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3 Conclusion
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
Although supportive of the intent behind the recommendation, the Government does not propose to set up a new independent body to undertake these functions. The Government is keen to see … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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4 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Conclusion
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
Further information is provided below in response to the Committee’s requests. Interim compensation payments of up to £100,000 are available to postmasters who meet the following criteria: i) their Horizon-related … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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9 Conclusion
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 is aware that Herbert Smith Freehills was employed by Lloyds Banking Group to provide legal support in relation to the HBOS Reading compensation process. We are also aware … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Conclusion
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 is aware that Herbert Smith Freehills was employed by Lloyds Banking Group to provide legal support in relation to the HBOS Reading compensation process. We are also aware … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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11 Conclusion
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
No rights are waived by postmasters in joining the Scheme. Agreement on the part of the postmaster that a settlement is full and final (meaning the postmaster cannot make any … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Conclusion
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 Conclusion
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 accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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15 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Conclusion
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 accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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17 Conclusion
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 has acted on this issue. The Government announced on 22 March 2022 that it will make funding available to ensure postmasters who took part in the Group Litigation … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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18 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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19 Conclusion
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 accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Conclusion
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 accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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21 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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22 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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23 Conclusion
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 accepts the Committee’s recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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24 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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25 Conclusion
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 the Committee’s recommendation. The terms of the Historical Shortfall Scheme include provisions for those who do not have access to evidence to support their claim. The guidelines … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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26 Conclusion
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 accepts the Committee’s recommendation and has agreed with the Post Office that it will publish this information on its website,3 subject to the caveats regarding privacy outlined below. … Read more
Department for Business and Trade
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27 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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28 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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29 Recommendation
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
Department for Business and Trade
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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 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 Minister on Independent Review into 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 Paula Vennells
Parliament page
3 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Nick Read
Parliament page
3 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from Chair to Fujitsu
Parliament page
4 Mar 2020 From committee Letter to the Prime Minister on Post Office dated 3 March 2020
Parliament page