Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Rejected
Ensure Horizon Conviction Redress Scheme full assessments never offer less than fixed-sum.
Recommendation
The Department should act swiftly to remove the fear factor from the Horizon Conviction Redress Scheme, ensuring that the redress offered under a full assessment settlement is never valued at below the optional fixed- sum redress which was initially available to a claimant. It should further communicate this change to current claimants and consider whether undue pressure may have formed a part of the decision of some settled claimants to opt out of a full assessment. The approach established under this recommendation for fixed-sum settlement offers should be applied as a matter of general principle across all schemes. (Recommendation, Paragraph 61)
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, detailing its current approach which includes funding legal advice and preliminary payments, and encourages claimants to pursue detailed assessments if their losses exceed the £600k fixed sum.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
• The Government does not accept this recommendation. • There is no timeframe within which an applicant needs to decide whether they should accept the fixed sum or pursue a detailed claim assessment. • In the HCRS and OC schemes, we are funding legal advice for claimants to support them in calculating what amount of redress they are due and to support their decision on which redress route they wish to engage with and to make that claim. • We recognise the hardship already endured by affected postmasters and the fixed sum route for redress represents an accessible and swift route for accessing redress whilst constituting a sum which represents a fair settlement for the majority. • Whilst no amount of money can right the wrongs of the past, we strongly encourage claimants to engage with a detailed assessment of their losses where these are expected to comprise in excess of the £600k fixed sum. • Applicants receive an upfront preliminary payment of £200,000 as soon as they are confirmed as eligible for the scheme and have passed ID checks. This aims to relieve some of the immediate financial hardship while they consider their preferred option. • If a claimant decides to pursue a detailed claim assessment, their preliminary payment is topped up to £450,000 upon submission of a fully substantiated claim. • If they decide to take the £600,000 fixed sum, the balance of the claim is paid and the claim settled.