Allow HSS Fixed Sum acceptors to appeal with independent permission
The Department following consultation with the Advisory Board, claimants' representatives and any other persons or bodies it thinks appropriate, shall give urgent consideration to whether claimants who have accepted the Fixed Sum Offer in HSS should be afforded the opportunity to appeal against their acceptance of such an offer if they are granted permission so to do. If a right of appeal with permission is introduced, the issue of permission to pursue such an appeal must be considered by a person who is wholly independent of the Department and the Post Office.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedDepartment for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation. Following consultation with the Advisory Board, claimants' representatives and other relevant parties, claimants who have accepted the Fixed Sum Offer in HSS will have the opportunity to request permission to appeal against their acceptance. The independent HSSA reviewer (yet to be appointed) will consider applications for permission to appeal. DBT is finalising the scope and criteria for such appeals in consultation with stakeholders.
Progress Timeline
DBT has committed to providing an opportunity for claimants who previously accepted the Fixed Sum Offer in HSS to ask an independent person for permission to appeal their award in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals (HSSA) scheme. Fully funded legal advice will be available to these claimants. DBT has engaged with stakeholders including the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, claimants' representatives and postmaster organisations and have incorporated their views into the development of the process. We aim to publish further information on the process, including eligibility criteria and how to apply on GOV.UK soon.
Verification: Government published formal response to Volume 1 recommendations on 13 October 2025, accepting 17 of 18 recommendations. Total compensation paid across all schemes: £1.38 billion as of December 2025. Volume 2 of Final Report expected 2026.
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.
HC 1598 noted the HSSA appeals mechanism exists and is functioning, but has effectively become a necessary second step because HSS offers are routinely undervalued. The committee heard that claimants who proceed through both HSS and HSSA wait two to three years for redress.
View detailed findings
Business and Trade Committee HC 1598 (13 March 2026) examined redress delivery one year on. Key findings: £1.44bn paid to 11,300+ claimants but thousands still waiting. HSS takes 143 days average for fixed-sum offers (target: 30 days) and 450 days for assessed claims (target: 180 days). Total redress bill now approximately £2bn. Fujitsu has contributed nothing. Committee made 29 formal conclusions and recommendations across redress schemes, quashed convictions, Fujitsu contribution, and pre-Horizon (Capture) IT system concerns.
Business and Trade Select Committee noted that HSS claimants who accepted the Fixed Sum Offer would have the opportunity to ask the Independent Reviewer to reconsider their award.
View detailed findings
Business and Trade Committee held an evidence session on 6 January 2026 with witnesses from Fujitsu, the CCRC, DBT and MoJ. The CCRC revealed Horizon software may have been installed earlier than previously believed, potentially expanding the pool of eligible convictions. Over 4,000 claimants were still awaiting final settlement across all schemes at that date. Government accepted only 3 of 17 committee recommendations in full.