PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Horizon IT System: Compensation (7 September 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he (a) holds information and (b) has received representations on the exclusion by the Post Office from the Horizon historical shortfall compensation scheme of the (i) 550 litigants who brought the Horizon scandal to light and (ii) (A) 600 subpostmasters employed through McColls and (B) 500 subpostmasters employed through the Co-op who were also affected by the Horizon system; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative)

The Historical Shortfall Scheme was designed for postmasters and companies who had or have a direct contract with Post Office, and therefore the individual or company had potential contractual liability for shortfalls found under previous versions of Horizon. On this basis, companies such as McColls and Co-Op were eligible to apply for the scheme. Claims could include consequential losses where appropriate. Assistants of postmasters or employees of other companies are not be eligible, as they had no contract with or contractual liability directly to the Post Office.

The Historical Shortfalls Scheme was designed for postmasters or companies who were not part of the group litigation and have had issues with historical shortfalls recorded in Horizon and want these to be investigated and addressed. Claimants in the settled litigation were therefore not eligible for the Historical Shortfalls Scheme.

Answered by:
Paul Scully (Conservative)
10 September 2020