Publish restorative justice programme by 31 October 2025

The Department, Fujitsu Services Limited and the Post Office have accepted this recommendation, and this is our joint statement in response.

Enclosed with this letter is a joint statement by Post Office Limited, Fujitsu Services Limited and the Department for Business and Trade in response to Recommendation 19. This joint statement in turn refers to a report prepared by the Restorative Justice Council dated 20 October 2025 (the "RJC Report"). A copy of the RJC Report is enclosed.

Today, the Department for Business and Trade, Fujitsu Services Limited and Post Office Limited are publishing the attached joint statement which sets out our plans for our future work on restorative justice. This builds on the listening work that the Restorative Justice Council have conducted and their recommendations, as set out in the attached report which they are also publishing today. We are grateful to those who have shared their experiences of the Horizon Scandal with the Restorative Justice Council and we are now acting, together with the Department and Fujitsu Services Limited, to establish a lasting and meaningful restorative justice programme which is directly informed by the wishes of those who were harmed.

DBT, the Post Office and Fujitsu have jointly embarked on a restorative justice project for postmasters, facilitated by the Restorative Justice Council (RJC). All three parties are committed to the programme being postmaster-led. The pilot phase of the programme therefore involved meetings for postmasters facilitated by RJC to identify what postmasters want the programme to deliver. The conclusions of the pilot were published here. They have informed the plan for future phases of the programme. In March 2026, a further update as to the future of the restorative justice programme was published here: [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/post-office-horizon-it-inquiry-update-on-restorative-justice-programme]. This detailed how the programme will include the opportunity for postmasters and their families, whether individually or in groups, to meet staff from Post Office, Fujitsu and DBT if they would find that helpful. It also set out how DBT, the Post Office and Fujitsu have agreed to support the programme both financially and practically for up to 5 years initially. Responsibility for funding will be shared between the 3 organisations.

DBT, the Post Office and Fujitsu have agreed to support the programme both financially and practically for up to 5 years initially. Responsibility for funding will be shared between the 3 organisations.

Over a two-week period, the RJC engaged with 145 participants across the United Kingdom, utilising in- person and online sessions as well as written submissions. From the onset, the importance of collaboration with those harmed was abundantly clear. This engagement provided profound insights into the experiences of affected individuals and allowed for the identification of potential restorative processes that could effectively address their needs.

HC 1598 found Fujitsu has acknowledged moral responsibility but made no interim payment and agreed no figure towards the approximately £2bn total redress bill. The committee recommended the government seek an urgent interim payment and that Fujitsu extend its moratorium on government contract bidding including subcontracting.

Business and Trade Select Committee received an update on the restorative justice pilot launched in November 2025 under a joint statement by DBT, Fujitsu and Post Office. The committee noted the pilot as a positive step, while questioning its scope and reach.