Post Office Horizon compensation gaps
Limitations in the Post Office Horizon compensation process, specifically regarding the flexibility for claimants to revert to a Fixed Sum Offer.
24 items
1 source
3 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Post Office Horizon compensation gaps has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
24 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
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Inquiry Recommendations (24)
POH-IR1-8 — Set agreed closing date for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications
Recommendation: No applications for compensation to HSS shall be entertained after such date as shall be agreed by the Minister/ DBT, the Post Office and the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board.
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: The department will discuss and agree an appropriate closing date with the Post Office. Advice will be sought from the advisory board and the department will notify the inquiry and potential claimants of the decision …
Accepted in part
POH-IR1-7 — Legislate to allow GLOS compensation payments after 7 August 2024 if necessary
Recommendation: HM Government shall bring forward and use its best endeavours to ensure that legislation is enacted so as to allow payments of compensation under GLOS to be made to applicants after 12 midnight on 7 August 2024 if that proves …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: The department is determined to deliver the GLO scheme by August 2024. If it were to appear nearer the time that the deadline was likely to be missed, the government would of course consider whether …
Accepted in part
POH-IR1-6 — Publish proposals for equal tax treatment of compensation payments
Recommendation: DBT shall publish in as much detail as it reasonably can and as soon as it reasonably can, its proposals for ensuring that applicants to all schemes are treated equally and fairly so far as their liability to or exemption …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: Payments under the GLO scheme and the compensation for overturned convictions (OC) are exempt from IT, National Insurance contributions (NICs) and CGT. On 19 June, the government announced arrangements for ensuring fair treatment in respect …
Accepted
POH-IR1-5 — Seek court directions to resolve the DBT and Moore UK difference on bankrupt applicants
Recommendation: DBT shall take such steps as are necessary within 28 days of the date hereof, to seek appropriate directions under section 306 Insolvency Act 1986 so as to enable a court to resolve the difference of view between DBT and …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: The department and the inquiry share the view that none of the group litigation order (GLO) compensation payable to bankrupt claimants should be diverted to insolvency practitioners to meet their costs and creditors. Most insolvency …
Accepted
POH-IR1-4 — Increase Advisory Board membership if needed for capacity
Recommendation: If the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board as constituted consider it necessary, the number of persons appointed to the Board should be increased so as to ensure that the Board has sufficient capacity to perform the functions set out above.
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: The department will keep under review the case for expanding the board, in discussion with its current members.
Accepted
POH-IR1-3 — Advise Minister and Post Office on full and fair compensation at three monthly intervals
Recommendation: The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board shall, as part of its advisory role, consider whether, in its view, full and fair compensation is being paid out to applicants under the three schemes and shall advise the Minister and the Post Office …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: The advisory board’s aim is to help the department to ensure fair and prompt compensation to postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal and related issues. The department agrees that, in delivering this aim, it may …
Accepted in part
POH-IR1-2 — Publish Advisory Board meeting reports within 21 days
Recommendation: The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board shall produce written reports in respect of each of their meetings in relation to each of the three schemes and publish the same within 21 days of the date of each meeting.
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: Written reports of board discussions are already published at the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board page. Reports of earlier meetings are available at the Group Litigation Order Compensation Scheme Advisory Board page. They are issued within …
Accepted
POH-IR1-1 — Allow Advisory Board to monitor individual cases and make full and fair monitoring a core …
Recommendation: The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board should not be prevented from monitoring individual cases in which compensation has been or is to be determined by paragraph 4 of its Terms of Reference. It must be one of the core duties of …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, DBT response to the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry's first interim report: compensation, published on GOV.UK 26 October 2023
Gov response: The advisory board’s aim is to help the department to ensure fair and prompt compensation to postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal and related issues. The department agrees that, in delivering this aim, it may …
Accepted in part
POH-10 — Clarify best offer principle in HSSA guidance with examples
Recommendation: The Department shall issue a supplementary document/announcement clarifying the meaning and intent of the "best offer" principle in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeal (''HSSA'') process demonstrating how it is intended to operate in practice with appropriate examples, if thought necessary.
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: DBT has updated the existing HSSA guidance and principles with this additional information. In line with Recommendation 11, DBT will also co-ordinate the planned “best offer” principle in the panel stages of HSSA with that …
Accepted
POH-9 — Allow HSS Fixed Sum acceptors to appeal with independent permission
Recommendation: 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 …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: People who have accepted the Fixed Sum Offer in HSS will have the opportunity to ask the Independent Reviewer in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals (HSSA) scheme (who has yet to be appointed) for permission …
Accepted
In progress
POH-8 — Require HSS first offers match Independent Advisory Panel recommendation
Recommendation: In HSS the Post Office shall be obliged to make, and the Department shall be obliged to approve (when necessary) a first offer to a claimant which is no less than the sum recommended by the Independent Advisory Panel.
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: This does not require any retrospective changes because no first offer has ever been made which is less than the sum recommended by the HSS Panel. The scheme documents have been amended to reflect this.
Accepted
POH-7 — Grant appropriate powers to HSS senior lawyer
Recommendation: The appointed person shall be given appropriate powers to ensure that these tasks can be performed and carried into effect. If it is considered necessary by the appointing authority, it should consult with the Advisory Board, Dentons, Sir Gary Hickinbottom, …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: DBT agrees that the appropriate powers should be given to the appointed person. DBT will consult Sir Ross Cranston, the Advisory Board, Dentons, claimants’ legal representatives and the Post Office to ensure that the appointee …
Accepted
POH-6 — Appoint senior lawyer to ensure HSS offers are full and fair
Recommendation: A suitably qualified senior lawyer shall be appointed to HSS as soon as is practicable with the aim that any such appointee will take appropriate action to ensure that first offers to claimants (a) are "full and fair" (b) made …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: Sir Gary Hickinbottom, currently Chair of the Independent Panel on HCRS, has been appointed to the position of HSS Senior Lawyer. We will continue to work with the Post Office on the practical implementation of …
Accepted
POH-5 — Allow 3-month window to accept Fixed Sum Offer after assessment
Recommendation: Any claimant who opts to have a claim assessed when the claim is submitted to the Post Office or the Department may decide to accept the Fixed Sum Offer at any time thereafter up to and including the date which …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: From 9 October, claimants to the HSS and HCRS will have 3 months from receipt of their first detailed offer to revert to the Fixed Sum Offer, should they wish. Any claimant who is already …
Accepted
POH-4 — Fund legal advice for HSS claimants before scheme choice
Recommendation: All claimants in HSS shall be entitled to obtain legal advice funded by the Department prior to choosing between accepting the Fixed Sum Offer or seeking financial redress which is assessed. The remuneration for such advice shall be in accordance …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: DBT broadly accepts this recommendation. DBT accepts that some HSS claimants require access to legal support on their decision to take the Fixed Sum Offer or the full assessment route. However, claimants’ legal advisors would …
Accepted
In progress
POH-3 — Apply full and fair meaning consistently across all schemes
Recommendation: The Post Office, the Department and the Minister shall ensure that all decision makers in HSS, GLOS and OCS/HCRS apply the meaning to be given to the words "full and fair" when assessing the amounts to be awarded to individual …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: DBT accepts this recommendation. Both DBT and Post Office have agreed to this definition, and it is referenced in respective scheme guidance, ensuring that decision makers in the different schemes uphold it. The HSS independent …
Accepted
POH-2 — Define and publish meaning of full and fair financial redress
Recommendation: The Minister and/or the Department in conjunction with the Post Office shall make a public announcement explaining what is meant by the phrase "full and fair financial redress". Such an explanation should indicate that claimants should be awarded sums which …
Words of: Department for Business and Trade, Government response to the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report (volume 1), 9 October 2025
Gov response: DBT accepts the Inquiry’s recommendation that it should publish a statement explaining the term “full and fair redress”.
Accepted
R106 — Redress working party for MAH victims
Recommendation: In relation to direct redress, including consideration of financial compensation, we recommend that the DoH set up a small working party to consult with patients, service user groups and individuals connected to those who have suffered abuse at MAH in …
Words of: Mike Nesbitt, Minister of Health, statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly, 22 June 2026 (Official Report)
Gov response: I am determined that it will not be an open-ended process, and I give Members my commitment that my Department will move swiftly to respond to the recommendations, starting with accepting No 106. I shall …
Accepted
In progress
IR2-13 — Relationship with Support Schemes and Benefits
Recommendation: I recommend that, with regard to the relationship between compensation, support payments and benefits: a) in assessing compensation under the scheme, no account should be taken of any past payments made under the support schemes or their predecessors; b) the …
Words of: UK Government, Full Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry's May 2024 Report (CP 1318), presented to Parliament by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, 14 May 2025
Gov response: As per recommendation 13 of the Second Interim Report, any payments made to those eligible under the Scheme will be exempt from income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. Any payments will also be …
Accepted
IR2-12 — Interim Payments for Bereaved Families
Recommendation: I recommend that an interim payment of £100,000 should be paid to recognise the deaths of people to date unrecognised and alleviate immediate suffering. This should be done as follows: a) where someone infected died as a child or died …
Words of: UK Government, Full Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry's May 2024 Report (CP 1318), presented to Parliament by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, 14 May 2025
Gov response: From October 2022, interim payments of £100,000 were made available to infected beneficiaries and bereaved partners. In October 2024, following a commitment made in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024, the Government opened applications for …
Accepted
IR2-11 — Interest on Past Losses
Recommendation: I recommend that interest be payable on awards for past financial losses and past provision of care, from the date of infection to the date of the award, in accordance with the practice in personal injury damages claims; alternatively, that …
Words of: The UK Government, in the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry (CP 1224), 17 December 2024
Gov response: With respect to recommendation 11 of the Second Interim Report, the compensation scheme aligns with the spirit of the recommendation regarding interest payable on past financial loss. The Scheme uses the rate of current median …
Accepted
IR2-10 — Form of Awards - Lump Sum and Periodical Payments
Recommendation: I recommend that: a) awards should be made in a lump sum in respect of an Injury Impact Award, Social Impact Award, Autonomy Award, and an award to compensate for past losses under the Care Award and Financial Loss Award …
Words of: The UK Government, in the Government response to the Infected Blood Inquiry (CP 1224), 17 December 2024
Gov response: In line with recommendations 9 and 10 of the Second Interim Report, acceptance of an award does not require applicants to waive their right to pursue litigation. In defined circumstances, if an infected person's condition …
Accepted
IR2-1 — Scheme Eligibility - Infected and Affected Persons
Recommendation: I recommend that the scheme should offer redress to those infected with HCV and/or HIV, and/or HBV (limited to chronic HBV unless the infection has resulted in a fatality in the acute period), and to defined categories of persons indirectly …
Words of: UK Government, Full Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry's May 2024 Report (CP 1318), presented to Parliament by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, 14 May 2025
Gov response: In accordance with recommendations 1 and 2 of the Second Interim Report, the Government is clear that both those who have been infected and affected by this scandal are eligible for compensation and is compensating …
Accepted
IR1-1 — Interim Compensation Payments
Recommendation: An interim payment, of no less than £100,000, should be paid to all those infected and all bereaved partners currently registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes, as well as those registering ahead of the inception …
Words of: Michael Ellis, HM Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, in a letter to Sir Brian Langstaff, 16 August 2022
Gov response: I can confirm that Her Majesty's Government accepts your recommendation in full. This is a priority. The Government recognises that many of the beneficiaries will tragically not see the conclusion of your Inquiry. It is …
Accepted