Authorities publicizes particulars of Submit Workplace Seize redress scheme

Former subpostmasters who suffered on account of errors in a pre-Horizon laptop system will have the ability to apply for compensation from autumn this yr.

Round 2,000 subpostmasters used the software program, often called Seize, to do their accounts from 1992 to the introduction of the Horizon system in 1999. Many skilled unexplained shortfalls and a few have been convicted of monetary crimes.

The federal government stated the Seize Redress Scheme will take a “frequent sense strategy” and search to offer “honest redress” for subpostmasters who have been compelled to repay account shortfalls that appeared on the defective system.

Gareth Thomas, Submit Workplace minister, stated: “We’re dedicated to delivering honest and swift redress for all postmasters affected by Submit Workplace software program failures as a part of our Plan for Change. At this time’s announcement represents one other necessary step in righting the wrongs of the previous and rebuilding belief within the Submit Workplace.”

Seize software program was utilized in Submit Workplace branches within the Nineteen Nineties to exchange paper-based accounting. Just like the controversial Horizon system on the centre of the Submit Workplace scandal, which noticed subpostmasters blamed for unexplained losses, some have been prosecuted for monetary crimes.

The controversy over the Seize system emerged in January final yr after the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Submit Workplace instructed the tales of subpostmasters who had suffered by the hands of the Horizon system.

It was the identical month that Kevan Jones, an MP on the time who now sits within the Home of Lords, highlighted proof of injustices attributable to the Seize laptop system utilized in Submit Workplace branches previous to the introduction of Horizon.

This triggered a marketing campaign and, by December, the federal government promised monetary redress and justice for subpostmasters affected by Seize issues. This adopted an unbiased investigation by forensic consultants at Kroll, which discovered there was a “cheap probability” the Submit Workplace Seize software program precipitated accounting losses.

Greater than £1bn has been paid out in monetary redress to over 7,000 former subpostmasters affected by the Horizon errors, however Seize victims – whose struggling started earlier than Horizon was even launched – are but to obtain a penny,

The brand new redress scheme, which would be the fifth within the Submit Workplace scandal, is anticipated to open for functions in autumn this yr. It is going to be accessible initially to 150 claimants “to make sure the method is honest, proportionate and accessible earlier than wider implementation”, stated the federal government.

The scheme could have a two-stage course of with an eligibility evaluate adopted by an unbiased panel evaluation.

The federal government stated it can make “immediate preliminary funds” to make sure early acknowledgement of loss, take a holistic evaluation strategy that considers each monetary losses and wider private influence, and use a guided scoring and banding mannequin for consistency in awards.

Subpostmasters between 1992 and 2000 who used Seize of their branches and suffered a monetary shortfall on account of an error can apply, as can kinfolk of deceased subpostmasters.

The Prison Instances Assessment Fee (CCRC) can be reviewing 28 potential wrongful convictions of subpostmasters primarily based on losses recorded on the Seize system.

In Could final yr, the federal government was compelled to introduce laws to exonerate greater than 700 subpostmasters who have been convicted primarily based on information from the defective Horizon system.

In October, the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board wrote to the secretary of state for justice urging the federal government to legislate to overturn convictions of subpostmasters primarily based on Seize system. The federal government stated no.

Rupert Lloyd Thomas, campaigner for Seize victims, stated every part is dragging on for “far too lengthy”, including: “They’re simply stringing it out and the one beneficiaries are the Submit Workplace.”

Neil Hudgell, lawyer at Hudgell Solicitors, which represents many Seize victims, stated: “The method of evaluation outlined suggests classes have been realized from earlier schemes, which have fallen nicely in need of their goal. Time will inform and the satan stays within the element but to be unveiled.”