Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Rejected
Require plan to notify all eligible postmasters and provide monthly Horizon redress scheme data.
Recommendation
While it is reassuring that the Government have put a timeframe on completing eligibility checks, we are concerned that some individuals may never know of their right to redress. The lack of data published means it is difficult for the Committee to fully scrutinise progress of this scheme across all Home Nations. The Government must set out a plan for how it will notify postmasters in scope of the Act of their right to redress plus timeframes in which these issues will be resolved. The Government must also update the Committee monthly with the following data, broken down by England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: a. How many people are under consideration as qualifying for remedies under the Post office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024 and the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act 2024. b. How many people have been confirmed as qualifying for the reliefs specified by the Acts. c. The number of people who have been written to about their right to redress. d. How many people that have been paid under the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme. e. The total amount that has been paid to claimants under the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme, and the total cost of administering the scheme. (Recommendation, Paragraph 58)
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation. They stated that individuals have already been notified since July 2024, and monthly data for England and Wales is already published online. Notification and data publication for Scotland and Northern Ireland are responsibilities of the respective devolved governments.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
• The Government does not accept this recommendation. • Since July 2024, individuals who have had their convictions quashed by the Act have been notified via a letter from the Ministry of Justice. In this letter, individuals are also notified that they are eligible for redress and invited to come forward to apply to the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme. For England and Wales, the Government publishes monthly data on the assessment of convictions against the Act’s criteria and the notification of individuals that they have had a conviction quashed, on gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/post-office-horizon-system-offences-act-2024-quashed- convictions-management-information. • As of 7 February, the total number of individuals who have been or are being assessed in England and Wales was 9534. • Notification of individuals in Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the relevant devolved government. Publication of these data in respect of Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for those governments. • The justice authorities in Northern Ireland and Scotland have not published regular updates like the Ministry of Justice; however, some public ad hoc updates have previously been provided, here: ○ Northern Ireland – As of 13 February 2025, 16 individuals had been notified their convictions had been quashed. The convictions of five remaining individuals are currently being assessed. ○ Scotland – As of 27 February, the total number of individuals being assessed is 96, with 57 individuals identified as having convictions quashed by the Act, and one individual identified as having an alternative to prosecution for a relevant offence. 13 individuals have been identified as not having a quashed conviction, and the final 25 individuals are in the process of being assessed. ...