Horizon Scandal Redress: Government Response Under Scrutiny The Bench Report podcast

Horizon Scandal Redress: Government Response Under Scrutiny

1M ago 14:02

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This episode delves into the latest developments in the Post Office Horizon scandal redress process, examining the Government's response to the Business and Trade Committee's critical report. We unpack the key recommendations made by the Committee and analyse which have been accepted, partially accepted, or rejected by the Department for Business and Trade.
Over 4,000 claimants are still waiting to settle their claims. We explore the Committee's disappointment that only 3 out of 17 recommendations were fully accepted, potentially hindering the acceleration of redress payments.
We examine the ongoing role of the Post Office in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), a point of contention for the Committee and even the Post Office itself. Learn about the progress of different redress schemes, including the HSS, the Overturned Convictions (OC) scheme, the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme, and the new Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS).
We also discuss key recommendations regarding upfront legal advice for HSS claimants, stronger instructions to lawyers, and the speed of the Independent Panel.
Key Takeaways:
* Over 4,000 claimants are still awaiting settlement under the various redress schemes.
* The Committee regrets the Govt's decision not to provide upfront legal advice for HSS claimants.
* Responsibility for processing overturned conviction claims will transfer from the Post Office to the Dept for Business and Trade on 3 June 2025.
* Partial acceptance of recommendations regarding the role of the Post Office in the HSS, the speed of the Independent Panel, and the introduction of mediation routes.
* Progress in redress payments since the new Government took office, with over £698 million paid to over 4,400 claimants.
* Govt intends to publish its approach to redress for postmasters affected by the Capture system in spring 2025.

Read extended shownotes on Substack.

Source: H of C Committee Report.

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

Chapters

1. Horizon Scandal Redress: Government Response Under Scrutiny (00:00:00)

2. Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) (00:02:21)

3. Lack of legal advice for HSS claimants (00:03:15)

4. Administration of HSS to the Dept of Business and Trade (00:03:59)

5. Simplifying and shorten the legal process (00:05:10)

6. Requests for Information (RFI's) (00:06:05)

7. Legally binding timeframes (00:07:43)

8. Group Litigation Order Scheme (GLO) (00:08:17)

9. Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) (00:09:59)

10. Quarterly Report publications (00:11:36)

11. Conclusions / Frustrations (00:11:56)

32 episodes