Set agreed closing date for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications
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.
- The HSS closing date was subsequently set as 31 January 2026, superseding this interim recommendation through the Volume 1 recommendation POH-15 (Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), DBT, 9 October 2025).
- The HSS closed to new claims on 31 January 2026 as confirmed by the Business and Trade Select Committee (Business and Trade Select Committee evidence session, January 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted in Part
Response
Accepted in PartDepartment 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.
Progress Timeline
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.
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...
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
The HSS closing date was agreed and subsequently superseded by recommendation POH-15 in the Volume 1 Final Report.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.