Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
1st Report - Post Office and Horizon scandal redress: Unfinished business
Business and Trade Committee
HC 341
Published 1 January 2025
Recommendations
3
Rejected
Provide Horizon Shortfall Scheme claimants with access to no-cost legal advice.
Recommendation
Horizon Shortfall Scheme claimants currently receive no legal advice to help complete the complex questionnaire that acts as the gateway to the scheme. This acts against them receiving the full redress they are due. We recommend HSS claimants be given …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating the HSS was designed for claimants to apply without legal input, though funding is available for advice on offers and future appeals. They acknowledge original complexity and are considering further initial support.
Department for Business and Trade
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7
Rejected
Establish an independent case facilitator and set 20-day limit for information requests.
Recommendation
The Department should work with Post Office Ltd and claimants’ representatives to establish an independent case facilitator with a defined role in assessing whether it is reasonable to subject a claim’s basis of calculation to further scrutiny through requests for …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating that setting deadlines for RFIs is not in claimants' best interest and a case facilitator would add unacceptable time and cost. They will, however, reinforce timely RFI delivery in reviews.
Department for Business and Trade
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10
Rejected
Introduce binding timeframes for each stage of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme process.
Recommendation
Sub-postmasters should not be left in limbo, waiting years for the redress that they are due with no light at the end of the tunnel. Ongoing delays are unacceptable and action must be taken to rectify this. The Committee reiterates …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation for binding timeframes, stating that the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board believes they would not speed up claims, and instead outlines various practical actions it is taking to make the scheme more efficient.
Department for Business and Trade
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12
Rejected
Grant Independent Reviewer greater powers to case manage Group Litigation Order claims.
Recommendation
It is disappointing that the Department does not believe the Independent Reviewer should be given a greater role in the Group Litigation Order Scheme, despite the former Post Office Minister confessing that it was a mistake not to do so. …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that Dentons already provide case management for the GLO scheme and Sir Ross Cranston's distinct role as Reviewer is focused on scheme principles and fairness, with limited time commitment due to other responsibilities.
Department for Business and Trade
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13
Rejected
Ensure Group Litigation Order claimant offers are at or above top-end redress bands.
Recommendation
The Department should ensure that offers to claimants are delivered at or above the top-end of the illustrative redress bands and guidance established under the guidance and principles of the Group Litigation Order scheme. Further requests for information should only …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, arguing that adding an additional layer of governance for information requests would exacerbate delays, though it acknowledges RFIs should aim to increase offers and be made early.
Department for Business and Trade
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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 …
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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.
Department for Business and Trade
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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 …
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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.
Department for Business and Trade
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16
Rejected
Introduce binding timeframes and financial penalties for Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme administrators.
Recommendation
The Government must introduce binding timeframes for administrators at each stage of the process under the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme, with financial penalties awarded to the claimant if these deadlines are not met. As with the Horizon Shortfall Scheme and …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to introduce binding timeframes with financial penalties for administrators in the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme, referencing reasons provided in their response to recommendation 11.
Department for Business and Trade
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