Committee publication · Report · 19 June 2026 · HC 129
5th Report - Post Office Horizon scandal: justice for sub-postmasters: Government Response
From: Business and Trade Committee
Inquiry: Post Office Horizon scandal: Justice for sub-postmasters
Summary
This Government Response to the Business and Trade Committee's March 2026 report on Post Office Horizon scandal redress accepts 11 of 14 recommendations but the Committee remains concerned about three key areas: delays in settling complex claims by end-2026, the government's refusal to make upfront £600,000 payments to wrongly convicted sub-postmasters, and absence of a timetable for Fujitsu's interim payment contribution.
Key findings
- Government accepted recommendation to complete redress payments in 2026 but allows exceptions for 'very complex elements to claims', which the Committee views as unacceptable grounds for delay.
- As of 30 April 2026, £943 million paid under Horizon Shortfall Scheme; 492 of 511 Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme claims received full and final payment.
- Government rejects upfront £600,000 interim payments to all HCRS claimants, arguing fixed-sum offers are final settlements; current interim payment is £200,000 topped up to £450,000 if full assessment pursued.
- Government declines to transfer complex HSS cases to Department for Business and Trade, rejecting Committee's recommendation; believes Post Office should 'finish the job' to avoid delays.
- Government accepts Fujitsu must contribute but provides no timetable or interim amount; Committee urges immediate action on interim payment.
- Government rejects recommendation for formal independent appeals mechanism for conviction quashing decisions; proposes panel review process instead.
- Government agrees to consider bringing legislation to quash Capture-related convictions and commits to investigating pre-Horizon IT systems for potential mass miscarriage of justice.
Government position
The Government accepts 11 of 14 recommendations broadly, but rejects three substantively: (1) it will not transfer complex HSS cases to DBT, citing delays; (2) it refuses upfront £600,000 interim payments to HCRS claimants, maintaining the distinction between interim payments and final settlements; (3) it rejects establishing a formal independent appeals mechanism for conviction quashing decisions. On Capture and Fujitsu, the Government agrees to consider future action and accepts the principle that Fujitsu must contribute, but declines to set interim payment timescales. The Committee criticises these rejections as insufficient protection for vulnerable claimants.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Liam Byrne, Business and Trade Committee, Department for Business and Trade, Post Office Limited, Ministry of Justice, Fujitsu, Sir Wyn Williams, Blair McDougall
Notable line
“We do not accept that complexity should be used as an excuse for delaying the settlement of any claims.”
Key Quotes
“We do not accept that complexity should be used as an excuse for delaying the settlement of any claims.”
“This approach sends out, whether deliberately or not, the message that those who do not accept the fixed sum risk receiving a lower amount than the £600,000.”
“The Department agrees with the Committee that, with hindsight, it would have been appropriate for Government to have delivered redress from the start”
“… the Government has not set a timetable for such a payment nor suggested a suitable interim amount. It should do this immediately.”
“… transferring fully assessed HSS cases to DBT would slow the delivery of redress and would negatively impact claimants' experiences.”
“… the Post Office's decisions in these and all other cases before the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) (CACD) are taken with a great deal of thought and consideration, and in accordance with the established law and evidence.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗