Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted in Part
Resource the Horizon Shortfall Scheme Independent Panel to meet full-time.
Recommendation
The Committee has learned that it will take around 18 months for the Independent Panel to assess outstanding claims on the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. We have also learned that the Post Office are expecting thousands 24 of new cases to come forward. A panel central to the process that assesses all claims meeting twice a week will not deliver swift justice for sub-postmasters. The Independent Panel must be resourced to meet full time until the majority of first offers have been issued. (Recommendation, Paragraph 22)
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepted the recommendation, stating the Post Office is increasing Independent Panel resources to reflect the workload and streamlining all parts of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme process, including increasing operational resources, to accelerate redress.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
• The Government partially accepts this recommendation. • The new Government agrees that it has taken too long for claims to be assessed under the HSS. However, the introduction of the £75k fixed sum is already having a significant impact. As of 31 January 2025, approximately £171 million has been paid in award top-ups and £75,000 awards. • The Post Office is working with its legal suppliers to ensure that Panel resource is increased to reflect the workload on the HSS. However, Panel capacity is not the only constraint on progressing cases. The Government is working with the Post Office to ensure that all parts of the HSS process are as streamlined as possible so that redress can be accelerated. The Post Office is increasing its operational resource accordingly.