POH-IR1-8 Response Accepted in Part Self-assessed

Set agreed closing date for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications

Recommendation

No applications for compensation to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme shall be entertained after such date as shall be agreed by the Minister, the Department for Business and Trade, the Post Office and the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Official government response (2023-09-21, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-post-office-horizon-it-inquiry-interim-report-compensation), the Department for Business and Trade partially accepted this recommendation in September 2023, committing to discuss and agree a closing date for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) with the Post Office, with consultation of the Advisory Board before notification. According to Gov.uk progress report (2026-01-31) and the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board (2026-01-01), the HSS closing date was subsequently set as 31 January 2026, and the scheme closed to new claims on that date.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part Department for Business and Trade
21 Sep 2023

Department for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation in part. The Department will discuss and agree a closing date with Post Office. The Advisory Board will be consulted before any closing date is notified to the Inquiry and to claimants.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
31 Jan 2026

Verification: Interim report recommendations largely implemented through Post Office (Horizon System) Compensation Act 2024 and scheme operational changes. HSS closing date set as 31 January 2026. Sir Gary Hickinbottom appointed to oversee scheme fairness.

Source
Department for Business and Trade government_response
21 Sep 2023

Government response: Accepted in part. Department for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation in part. The Department will discuss and agree a closing date with Post Office. The Advisory Board will be consulted before any closing da...

Source
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Confirmed Completed
01 Jan 2026
Horizon Compensation Advisory Board Other

The HSS closing date was agreed and subsequently superseded by recommendation POH-15 in the Volume 1 Final Report. HSS closed to new claims on 31 January 2026.

Horizon Compensation Advisory Board reports (publ… View Source
Source
Inquiry Post Office Horizon Inquiry
Report First Interim Report: Compensation 17 Jul 2023
View Source
Responsible Bodies
Department for Business and Trade Primary
Themes & Tags
Post Office Horizon compensation gaps Weak Government Accountability & Scrutiny HSS Closure Deadline
Recommendation age 2.7 yrs
Last formal update 31 Jan 2026