Committee publication · Correspondence · 6 January 2026
Letter from the Post Office relating to Post Office redress update, 18 December 2025
From: Business and Trade Committee
Inquiry: Post Office Horizon scandal: Justice for sub-postmasters
Summary
Post Office Chair Nigel Railton updates the Business and Trade Committee on progress in delivering redress to Horizon scandal victims ahead of a January evidence session. Since December 2024, £733 million in additional redress has been paid, bringing the total to £1.3 billion across 10,000 people. The Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) has improved significantly, with 80% of applications closed by November 2025 (up from 45% at end 2024). The closure date has been extended to 31 January 2026 to allow adequate time for final applications.
Key findings
- £1.3 billion in total redress paid to over 10,000 people to date; £733 million paid since December 2024, with HSS payments increasing by £492 million in the past year
- HSS claim completion nearly doubled: 45% of applications closed by end 2024 rising to 80% by end November 2025; 79% increase in HSS application volumes during 2025
- HSS closure date extended to 31 January 2026 (beyond Sir Wyn's original 27 November 2025 recommendation) to account for Christmas period and provide more notice to potential applicants
- Post Office has removed all staff from Remediation Unit with previous roles linked to Horizon audit, suspension or prosecution activities; implemented employment checks to prevent pre-2018 Post Office employees joining the unit
- Restorative Justice programme being developed in partnership with Restorative Justice Council; 145 people participated in six consultation meetings; further programme details expected Spring 2026
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Nigel Railton (Chair, Post Office Ltd), Liam Byrne MP (Chair, Business and Trade Committee), Sir Wyn Williams (Horizon Inquiry lead), Sir Gary Hickinbottom (Senior Lawyer, appointed to HSS), Post Office Ltd, Department for Business and Trade, Fujitsu, Restorative Justice Council
Notable line
“I am not complacent about the fact that there is still more we must do to deliver redress for the victims of the Horizon Scandal.”
Key Quotes
“Since December 2024, a further £733 million in redress has been paid out across all the main schemes, with more than £1.3 billion having been paid out to over 10,000 people to date.”
“At the end of 2024, 45% of HSS applications received to date had been closed. However, at the end of November this year, 80% of applications received to date have been closed …”
“I have no doubt that the scrutiny of your Committee has contributed directly to the improvements within the schemes and to the quickening of redress payments”
“We believe the closure date of 31 January 2026 takes account of the very busy Christmas period for current postmasters, while also giving more notice to potential applicants who have yet to come forward.”
“I can confirm for the record that there are no longer any individuals with previous roles as described above working in the Remediation Unit at Post Office.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗