Government publishes its response to the independent Kroll report on Capture software.
Following independent Kroll report, government commits to redress for postmasters who have suffered losses as a consequence of Capture errors
Work to be completed quickly with those affected to determine appropriate compensation for those without criminal convictions
Government confirms £37.5 million subsidy to support Post Office network as company sets out £20 million boost for postmasters
Today the government has officially recognised Capture, the software which preceded Horizon, could have created shortfalls affecting postmasters. It has asked the Post Office to urgently review its files and evidence so the CCRC and SCCRC can ensure no one was wrongfully convicted of a Horizon-style injustice.
Responding to the independent Kroll report into the software, the Business Secretary has promised to provide redress for postmasters who suffered losses as a result of Capture. The government will work swiftly with victims to determine its form and scope, alongside eligibility criteria, by Spring 2025.
The Capture accounting system was rolled out across some Post Office branches from 1992 before it was replaced by Horizon in 1999. The government commissioned the independent report following postmasters coming forward publicly in January indicating they had faced detriment due to the Capture system. In its report, Kroll concluded Capture could have created shortfalls.
The response comes as the government marks £500 million paid to more than 3,300 Horizon victims. We are delivering on our promise to ensure swift and fair redress to postmasters, more than doubling the amount of compensation paid out since coming into government 5 months ago.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:
It is thanks to testimony of postmasters that this has been brought to light and failings have been discovered.
We must now work quickly to provide redress and justice to those who have suffered greatly after being wrongly accused.
I'd like to encourage anyone who believes they have been affected by Capture to share their story with us so we can put wrongs to right once and for all.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said:
It's taken a long time to reach this point which is why my priority now is to deliver justice and redress to postmasters as swiftly as possible.
We will do everything we can to correct the mistakes of the past and ensure they are not repeated.
Postmasters have raised concerns with me that their income has not kept up with inflation over the past decade. The Government therefore welcomes that the Post Office is going to make a one-off payment to postmasters to increase their remuneration.
Due to the length of time which has passed since the Capture system was in use several issues have complicated the investigation including:
Far greater timescales, meaning a greater population of the users may have sadly died
Loss or destruction of relevant evidence for example relating to shortfalls, suspensions, terminations, prosecutions, and convictions
At least 19 different operational versions of the Capture software during the period
Ambiguous number of users during this period
Unlike Horizon, it is currently uncertain how many criminal prosecutions were based on Capture evidence. These challenges also mean it will be difficult for claimants to corroborate their claims with evidence.
The Post Office has indicated it holds further information on convictions and prosecutions during the Capture period. The government has asked them to carry out their review of these records urgently and send information to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and Scotland Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC).
Ensuring postmasters receive the justice they deserve is an immediate priority for this government. The Kroll report does not take a view whether any possible convictions were unsafe. We will continue to facilitate the provision of information to the CCRC and SCCRC, alongside the Post Office, in connection with the review of cases involving the use of Capture as the approach to redress is developed at pace.
Minister Thomas will also announce the government is supporting the Post Office network with a further £37.5 million subsidy. It comes as the Post Office today announces a £20 million boost for postmasters to address their concerns that their income has not kept up with inflation over the past decade.
Under the Plan for Change, this government will make public services deliver for working people once more. The Post Office is an important British institution at the heart of local communities, but for too long neglect has enabled significant issues to take root. We will strengthen the Post Office network - pledged in our manifesto - so the people's trust can be restored.
