London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 10, 2025

Victims of Post Office Horizon scandal awarded millions more in compensation

Victims of Post Office Horizon scandal awarded millions more in compensation

Horizon was a faulty computer system that incorrectly showed shortfalls of money within the Post Office. The error, which led to hundreds of employees being wrongly convicted, has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history.

Victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal have been awarded a further £19.5m in compensation from the government.

Postal affairs minister Paul Scully said an interim payment of compensation to eligible members of a group representing postmasters will be made.

The award takes the total amount of compensation to around £30m.

"These postmasters and their families have shown immense courage in the face of terrible circumstances," Mr Scully said.

"I hope this initial step provides some comfort to these pioneering postmasters while reaffirming our commitment to ensuring they receive their fair share in compensation."

Speaking in the House of Commons, he added that postmasters will be contacted to fill out an application for the compensation in the coming weeks.

He continued to confirm that 75 convictions have now been overturned, with some quashed in recent weeks, and the Post Office has received 74 applications for interim compensation payments.

"Recently, 67 offers have been accepted by and paid out to claimants, totalling nearly £7m. This marks significant progress," Mr Scully said.

"It's important, in addition to providing compensation, that we learn lessons so that something similar can never happen again."

Earlier this year, the government announced an independent inquiry into the Horizon scandal, which began in February.

Horizon was a faulty computer system that incorrectly showed shortfalls of money within the Post Office.

The error, starting in the late 1990s, led to more than 700 employees being wrongly convicted of theft and false accounting, with some even sent to prison.

In 2019, a number of postmasters who took the first legal action against the Post Office over Horizon received £43m plus legal costs in a settlement, but much of this money was swallowed up by the associated costs of funding their case.

They were ineligible for the Historical Shortfall Scheme (HSS) which was subsequently set up to compensate other affected postmasters.

In March, the government confirmed that it would create a new scheme to ensure the group does not lose out, and Thursday's interim payment will provide support while this scheme is finalised.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
×