Devise redress process for affected family members
The Department shall devise a process for providing financial redress to close family members of those most adversely affected by Horizon. Such family members shall qualify for such redress only if they themselves, have suffered serious adverse consequences by reason of their family relationship with the person or persons directly affected by Horizon.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedDepartment for Business and Trade accepts this recommendation. Some close family members of postmasters suffered serious adverse consequences because of the Horizon scandal. DBT is committed to establishing a redress scheme for close family members who suffered serious injuries by reason of their family relationship with those directly affected. Active engagement with stakeholder groups continues during scheme design.
Progress Timeline
Some family members of postmasters suffered gravely because of the Horizon scandal. As set out in the then Minister for Postal Affairs' statement to the House of Commons on 8 July 2025, DBT has committed to establishing a new redress scheme for postmasters' close family members who suffered personal injuries, including mental injuries, as a result of the Horizon scandal. DBT is engaging closely with the Lost Chances for Subpostmasters' Children group, claimants' legal representatives and the Advisory Board. It will continue to seek input from key stakeholders as it designs the scheme and process for assessing claims. Further details of the scheme will be announced in due course.
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 welcomed the creation of a family redress scheme but urged the government to broaden the definition of "close family member" beyond spouses and children to include parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who can demonstrate adverse consequences of the scandal.
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 heard evidence on redress for close family members of postmasters. DBT committed to establishing a new scheme for family members who suffered personal injury including mental health impacts, though the scheme was not yet operational as of January 2026.
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.