BBCSir Keir Starmer has responded to a letter from Sir Alan Bates calling for quicker compensation funds for postmasters impacted by the Put up Workplace scandal, the prime minister’s spokesman has stated.
Sir Alan wrote to the PM twice up to now month, urging him to make sure victims obtain full monetary redress by March subsequent 12 months.
The previous sub-postmaster instructed MPs earlier he was nonetheless awaiting a response, earlier than the prime minister’s spokesman stated afterward Tuesday {that a} reply had been issued.
Final week, the federal government introduced that £1.8bn has been put aside for folks affected by the Horizon IT scandal, along with numerous compensation schemes already introduced.
Between 1999 and 2015 a whole lot of sub-postmasters had been wrongly prosecuted after the defective Horizon IT accounting system made it appear to be cash was lacking from department accounts.
Sir Alan, portrayed in a ITV drama which thrust the scandal again into the highlight earlier this 12 months, leads the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance and was giving proof to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday.
The listening to is contemplating quick and truthful redress for victims of the Put up Workplace scandal and a key level for Sir Alan, which he has made earlier than, is that the federal government must set deadlines for compensation to be paid.
He instructed MPs he had twice written to the prime minister up to now month to say “it must be completed by the top of March 2025”.
A No10 spokesman stated the PM responded to Sir Alan earlier on Tuesday, and added the federal government is dedicated to getting fast redress for victims, however is cautious of setting an “arbitrary cut-off” date that would see some claimants miss out.
“We would like redress as rapidly as attainable,” he stated. “What we don’t wish to do is about an absolute deadline which might end in some claimants lacking the deadline.
“However every postmaster eligible ought to obtain substantial redress by the top of March.”
Campaigners have criticised the period of time it’s taking for these affected to obtain compensation. Many sub-postmasters had been wrongly despatched to jail for false accounting and theft, and a number of other extra had been financially ruined. Some have died ready for justice.
The PM’s spokesperson stated as of 31 October, roughly £438m had been paid to greater than 3,100 claimants throughout the 4 compensation schemes.
‘Like a battle’
Janet Skinner, now in her 50s, continues to be ready for her compensation. Her declare has been within the system for greater than two years.
“That is supposed to assist folks. It’s extra like a battle,” she stated of the compensation course of.
She was handed a nine-month sentence in 2007 over an alleged shortfall of £59,000 from her Put up Workplace department in Bransholme, Hull.
She served three months in jail earlier than being launched with an digital tag, however ultimately had her conviction quashed by the Court docket of Enchantment in April 2021.
The stress of the scandal left her with neurological issues, resulting in paralysis in components of her physique which she is studying to maneuver once more. She stated she has been requested for a fifth time for a medical report back to show her incapacity was on account of the scandal.
On the committee, legal professionals had been requested about their expertise of the Horizon Shortfall compensation scheme, which is overseen by the Put up Workplace.
This compensation scheme is for sub-postmasters who weren’t convicted, or a part of the Group Litigation Order (GLO) court docket motion, however who consider they skilled shortfalls due to Horizon.
David Enright, whose legislation agency represents a whole lot of Put up Workplace victims, stated there isn’t a funding for authorized recommendation in the beginning, with claimants introduced with a “DIY questionnaire”.
Then, six to 9 months later, he stated there’s a request for extra info which frequently includes 50-150 additional questions that may solely be answered by the likes of a forensic accountant.
“The system is designed to put on folks down,” he instructed MPs.
One other lawyer stated a few of his sub-postmaster purchasers had been being requested to offer proof of losses in claims which might be 20 years outdated, however can not to take action as a result of the proof had been beforehand seized by the Put up Workplace and never given again.
The GLO scheme is for the 555 former postmasters who received their group lawsuit, however acquired comparatively small payouts after authorized prices had been paid. The scheme is funded and managed by the federal government.
