The provide will probably be elective, the Government mentioned, with these affected capable of proceed with the present compensation course of in the event that they select.
The Horizon scandal – which has been described as essentially the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK historical past – noticed greater than 700 Post Office department managers handed prison convictions after defective Fujitsu accounting software program made it seem as if cash was lacking.
The Government mentioned 86 convictions have been overturned and £21 million has been paid in compensation.
Postmasters who’ve already acquired preliminary compensation funds or have reached a settlement with the Post Office of lower than the £600,000 will probably be paid the distinction, the Government mentioned.
Making an announcement within the Commons , Mr Hollinrake mentioned: “The Government has decided that postmasters who have their convictions on the basis of Horizon evidence overturned should have the opportunity up front to accept an offer of a fixed sum in full and final settlement of their claim.
“The sum will be £600,000. It is not up to £600,000, it is £600,000. There will be no requirement for evidence to support the claim other than being able to demonstrate that the individual has an overturned conviction.”
He mentioned the determine was arrived at by current claims which have been processed and making use of a “generous uplift to that”.
He mentioned: “This payment will be made net of any sums already received, such as interim payments and partial settlements to settle a claim fully.
“Any postmaster who does not want to accept this offer can of course continue with the existing process. It will therefore be completely optional to accept the offer.”
He added: “We hope that the change that I am announcing today will provide more reassurance and quicker compensation to those postmasters who prefer this option over going through the full assessment process.”
The minister acknowledged “some details will need to be worked through”, together with how lengthy the upfront provide stays open. But he mentioned the Government desires to verify it “gets this right” and doesn’t wish to delay informing postmasters that there can be an “optional, quick and straightforward route to settlement”.
The Government mentioned it might proceed to fund the authorized prices of the postmasters to make sure they obtain impartial recommendation prior to creating a call.
Mr Hollinrake advised the Commons: “Postmasters who have been wrongfully convicted have some of the most severe circumstances having lost clean records, and in some cases their liberty and suffered significant financial losses and an overwhelming impact on their lives.
“The Government recognises that these postmasters have suffered gravely in relation to the Horizon scandal, and for too long. So should be able to settle their claims swiftly if they wish.”
In isolation £600,000 might sound like some huge cash, and it’s. But in lots of circumstances it’s nowhere close to sufficient to symbolize what has been misplaced during the last 20 years
Solicitor Neil Hudgell, of Hudgell Solicitors, who represents 70 former subpostmasters who’re searching for compensation from the Post Office after having convictions regarding the scandal overturned, mentioned in lots of circumstances the provide is “nowhere near enough”.
He mentioned: “We welcome any announcement that is in our clients’ best interests.
“Having spent many months negotiating with the Post Office and the Government as to what would represent fair and full compensation for former subpostmasters who have had convictions overturned, we are somewhat surprised by this sudden announcement.
“I expect the reaction of many of our clients will be that this move is another example of the Post Office trying to control the narrative here.
“The Government has said these offers are optional, but my fear is that, due to the delays we have already faced, and the particular circumstances many subpostmasters face, some may feel pressured to accept this offer even though their claims are worth much more.
“In isolation £600,000 may sound like a lot of money, and it is. But in many cases it is nowhere near enough to represent what has been lost over the last two decades.”
This will probably be a wholly voluntary selection and so claimants ought to receive particular recommendation from their impartial authorized {and professional} representatives in contemplating whether or not it’s appropriate
Starting within the late Nineteen Nineties, the Post Office started putting in Horizon accounting software program, however faults within the software program led to shortfalls in branches’ accounts.
The Post Office demanded subpostmasters cowl the shortfalls, and in lots of circumstances wrongfully prosecuted them between 1999 and 2015 for false accounting or theft.
An impartial inquiry is ongoing.
The Overturned Convictions course of, Horizon Shortfall Scheme and Group Litigation Order have in complete paid greater than £120 million to 2,600 people affected by the Horizon scandal, the Government mentioned.
The Post Office mentioned it welcomed the announcement but additionally mentioned the provide is just not anticipated to be acceptable in each case.
Post Office chief govt Nick Read mentioned: “Post Office is making good progress to pay compensation to those affected as quickly as possible and therefore welcomes the news that Government has found a way to provide the option of concluding settlements through their upfront offer.
“This will be an entirely voluntary choice and so claimants should obtain specific advice from their independent legal and professional representatives in considering whether it is suitable in their individual case.”
