The UK government has announced that all victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal will be eligible for free legal advice regarding compensation claims. This decision is part of a series of updates to existing compensation schemes aimed at assisting those impacted by what has been termed one of the UK’s most significant miscarriages of justice.
In July, inquiry chair Sir Wyn Williams presented findings highlighting the scandal’s human impact and called for immediate action. The government has accepted nearly all recommendations about the Horizon system, with over 900 sub-postmasters having been prosecuted due to malfunctions in the IT system, which falsely indicated financial shortfalls in their accounts. Many victims were compelled to use personal savings to cover these alleged losses to avoid prosecution.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated that further actions are necessary to ensure justice for the affected individuals. Currently, there are four compensation schemes, yet many critics argue these have been inefficient, offering only partial payments. The recent modifications will apply to victims utilizing the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), which has accounted for more than half of all claims paid thus far. The new provisions align the HSS with the other compensation schemes by providing access to government-funded legal advice.
Additionally, the government plans to establish a new appeals process for postmasters who accepted fixed compensation payouts under the HSS. Victims have previously expressed dissatisfaction with low offers. Other governmental actions in response to the inquiry include extending the HSS closing date, clarifying definitions for “full and fair redress,” and initiating a restorative justice project for the postmasters involved.
To date, over £1.2 billion has been disbursed to more than 9,000 claimants across all compensation schemes. Fujitsu, the provider of the Horizon IT system, has expressed regret over its role in the suffering endured by the sub-postmasters.
Tony Downey, a victim of the scandal, has asserted the ongoing struggle for adequate compensation, revealing he was forced to invest £35,000 of personal savings into his post office due to alleged losses caused by the faulty software. He continues to await complete compensation nearly three years after filing his claim.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7dx7le0ddo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss