How has the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry investigated redress (compensation) so far?
Next week, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry will publish the first volume of its final report, which will include Sir Wyn Williams’ recommendations about redress (or compensation).
However, this is not the first time the Inquiry has investigated the issue of redress.
Throughout the Inquiry’s lifetime, it has continued to put the issue of ‘full and fair compensation’ under the spotlight in hearings and reports.
Here we reflect on how the Inquiry has investigated the issue of redress so far.
Why does the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry use the term ‘redress’ rather than compensation?
Many campaigners and public inquiries use the term ‘redress’ rather than compensation as it places the focus on putting right a wrong. It also acknowledges that many harms cannot be addressed through financial means alone.
Some people feel that the word ‘redress’ is less transactional, more respectful of people’s experiences of harm, plus it also includes non-financial remedies like apologies, policy changes and reforms.
How has the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry investigated redress?
Since the Inquiry began, it has received written evidence and conducted hearings about the various compensation schemes, which it explored during:
Human Impact hearings
In February to May 2022, the Inquiry held Human Impact hearings in London, Cardiff, Leeds, Glasgow, and Belfast.
During this Human Impact phase, 189 affected sub-postmasters, managers, assistants, or family members shared their experiences.
In their testimonies, many described how they were wrongly accused of theft and fraud, their financial hardships and experience of claiming redress (or compensation).
Compensation hearings
From July 2022 onwards, the Inquiry also held four compensation hearings.
During these, Sir Wyn Williams received submissions about redress (compensation) from legal representatives of:
- Sub-postmasters.
- Post Office Limited.
- UK Government Investments.
- The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (now known as the Department of Business and Trade)
Interim Report
On 17 July 2023, Sir Wyn Williams published an Interim Report setting out his findings and recommendations about three compensation schemes. These include the:
- Historical Shortfall Scheme (HSS), now known as the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
- Overturned Historic Convictions Scheme (OHCS).
- Group Litigation Order (GLO) Scheme.
In this report, Sir Wyn urged for action to resolve the issues impacting the timely delivery of full and fair compensation to sub-postmasters.
For example, he called for the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board to be strengthened and for more clarity around the tax treatment of compensation.
Phase 7 of the Inquiry
During Phase 7 of the Inquiry, Sir Wyn Williams examined current practice and procedure at the Post Office, including how it was handling the issue of redress.
Before these hearings began, the Inquiry also commissioned surveys to understand the experiences of people who claimed compensation under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
YouGov, the independent research and data analytics firm who conducted the surveys, found that:
- “Nearly half of the HSS applicants surveyed were dissatisfied with the Horizon Shortfall scheme overall (49% vs. 12% who were satisfied). This included about one in three (34%) who were ‘very dissatisfied’ and 15% who were ‘fairly dissatisfied.’”
- “Just under half (47%) said they found it hard to understand the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. This comprised of 29% who found it ‘quite hard’ and 19% who found it ‘very hard.’ A smaller proportion (20%) said they found understanding the Scheme easy. A similar pattern was seen when thinking about completing the paperwork. More found this hard (57%) than easy (16%), with one in four (25%) in the middle.”
- “There was generally high dissatisfaction with various elements of the offer, among those with an application outcome. This included ‘the offer amount’ (59% vs. 20%), ‘the time it took to reach an outcome’ (52% vs. 21%) and ‘the amount of information provided about how the outcome was determined’ (49% vs. 18%).”
Read the full YouGov report on the Phase 7 surveys
What is next?
Next week, Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams will publish the first volume of his final report, which will focus on redress (compensation) and the human impact of the Horizon scandal.
The report will be published on the Inquiry website and laid in Parliament.
If you have been affected by the Horizon scandal and want to share your story, you can continue to reach out to our listening project, In Your Own Words. This is an anonymous space where you can share your stories and experience of how the Horizon scandal has affected you.
These stories will help shape our upcoming Legacy Project, which aims to mark the Horizon scandal in history, so that its devastating impacts are not forgotten.
