Home / Crime and Justice / Post Office Payouts: Survivors Demand Fair Compensation
Post Office Payouts: Survivors Demand Fair Compensation
22 Apr
Summary
- Compensation scheme for wrongly accused sub-postmasters is closing.
- Over £223 million has been paid out to 90% of claimants.
- Some victims feel the process has been 'marked by the department'.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced that one route for compensation for wrongly accused sub-postmasters, the Group Litigation Order scheme, will close to new applicants on July 31st, with a goal of concluding by the end of the year. The DBT states that 90% of claimants have received compensation, with a total of £223 million disbursed.
However, some former sub-postmasters, like Christopher Head, a victim who was falsely accused of stealing over £80,000, express reservations. Head argues that the department is prematurely declaring success, as some claimants may accept offers due to exhaustion rather than true satisfaction with the payout. He suggests the department is "marking their own homework."
Approximately 1,000 individuals were wrongly prosecuted due to the Horizon accounting system, run by Fujitsu, between 1999 and 2015. The Group Litigation Order scheme was available to 492 of these victims. The DBT has stated that over £1.5 billion has been paid out across all compensation schemes.
Post Office Minister Blair McDougall emphasized the determination to resolve remaining claims quickly and fairly, ensuring that the postmasters who initiated the pursuit of justice receive the full redress they are owed and that proper support is provided.
