The letter was written by victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove and despatched to the Publish Workplace minister Blair McDougall earlier this month.
“Far from offering catharsis,” she writes, “the compensation process was seen to be as bad as or even worse an experience than the initial investigation, prosecution and injustice itself.”
She provides that “hearing this from victims, time and again, shocked me”.
Victims informed her that preliminary provides have been “insultingly low” and that fixed delays and requests for decades-old paperwork had left them offended and “distressed”.
Some described the method as “adversarial”, with Baroness Newlove evaluating it to preventing an insurance coverage firm somewhat than receiving justice from the state.
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2:55
‘Insufferable’ wait to clear names for Publish Workplace victims
The letter urges the federal government to desert “commercial tactics” akin to making low preliminary provides – approaches the Commissioner says are “not appropriate when dealing with traumatised victims”.
Extra on Publish Workplace Scandal
“It might be better to come back with a request for more information, rather than make an offer that is guaranteed to offend the victim,” she mentioned.
The letter was despatched on 3 October, shortly earlier than the federal government outlined its official response to half one of many Horizon inquiry report.
It introduced that it might settle for a lot of the suggestions, together with on redress, put ahead by the chair of the inquiry Sir Wyn Williams.
In her four-page letter, Baroness Newlove additionally welcomes entry to “free legal advice” to assist victims with claims however requires earlier instances to be reviewed.
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0:48
Minister: No deadline on Horizon scandal compensation
She explains that the place recommendation had not been accessible, some victims “might have been disadvantaged as a result”.
“Is it possible these early cases can be reviewed to ensure everyone has been treated fairly and equally?” she asks.
The letter additionally raises considerations that some present serving sub postmasters really feel “under pressure” from managers to not pursue claims, urging the division to make sure this “is not the case”.
Baroness Newlove additionally relays victims’ frustration that Fujitsu, the corporate behind the defective Horizon system, continues to work with the federal government and asks whether or not that is “an issue the government is looking to address”.
Publish Workplace Minister Blair McDougall mentioned in response to the letter: “We pay tribute to all the postmasters who have suffered from the Horizon scandal, which is why we have increased the total amount paid to postmasters fivefold to over £1 billion as part of our ongoing commitment to deliver justice to victims as swiftly as possible.
“Since this letter was despatched we set out our response to Sir Wyn Williams’ inquiry proposals, which can assist us additional velocity up claims, and which provides authorized recommendation to sub postmasters.
“I look forward to working with postmasters in making further improvements to the redress schemes so that they get the compensation they deserve.”
A Publish Workplace spokesperson mentioned: “We have and continue to actively support all Post Office colleagues, but particularly those with direct contact with Postmasters, to encourage them to submit a claim to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme if they believe they suffered losses in the past.
“Our Space Managers are enjoying a pivotal function in guiding Postmasters on easy methods to submit a declare and signposting the place there’s further help to take action. We now have a devoted claimant help staff accessible on the cellphone to debate choices, present help, and reply any questions a Postmaster might have in order that we will start to course of their declare immediately.
“We would welcome contact with the Victim Commissioner directly so that we can understand more about what they have been told and to ensure all of us work together so that current and former postmasters get their claims in as soon as possible.
“To help this, we are going to shortly be launching a nationwide promoting marketing campaign urging any present or former Postmaster who has not submitted a declare to take action as quickly as attainable and by 31 January 2026.”
A Fujitsu spokesperson said in a statement: “We proceed to work with authorities to make sure we adhere to the voluntary restrictions we put in place relating to bidding for brand spanking new contracts whereas the Publish Workplace Inquiry is ongoing, and we’re engaged with authorities relating to Fujitsu’s contribution to compensation.”
