Survey deadline extended for current sub-postmasters and Horizon Shortfall Scheme applicants

The deadline for those invited to take part in research about current practice at the Post Office and the Horizon Shortfall Scheme has been extended to allow more people time to share their experiences.

Up to 16,000 people from across the UK, including all current sub-postmasters and applicants under the Post Office’s in-house compensation scheme (the Horizon Shortfall Scheme), have been asked to complete a survey about their experience of the Post Office and Horizon or of claiming compensation.

Those eligible to take part have been contacted via email by independent research and data analytics firm, YouGov. Respondents now have until Thursday 15 August (23:59) to complete their surveys.

During the last hearing of Phases 5 and 6, Inquiry Chair, Sir Wyn Williams, and Jason Beer KC, Lead Counsel to the Inquiry, urged anyone contacted to complete the survey.

Sir Wyn Williams said: “It is crucial that I get as full a response as possible to these surveys, because we have looked long at the past, but now... I want to know about the present.”  

Jason Beer KC, Lead Counsel to the Inquiry, said: “I would like to end by encouraging those, everyone who has received a link to the surveys, to complete them.  It's vital from the Inquiry's perspective that we enter Phase 7 with as full a body of evidence about the current position as is possible.”

The findings of the surveys will be presented as evidence during the Inquiry’s final phase, Phase 7, and will inform Sir Wyn Williams’ findings and recommendations.

Sir Wyn also stressed that the survey is anonymous and independent of the Post Office: “I want to stress that the surveys are not connected to the Post Office. If you find it difficult to speak about challenges which you still face, you people out there whom I am addressing, please be assured that these surveys are for the benefit of the Inquiry.”

ENDS

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