Fujitsu has agreed to start talks with the UK authorities on contributing to compensation for victims of the Publish Workplace scandal.
A whole lot of sub-postmasters had been falsely accused of stealing from their branches between 1999 and 2015.
Fujitsu developed the defective Horizon pc system chargeable for faulty shortfalls in accounting which led to wrongful convictions. Additionally they supported the Publish Workplace in its prosecutions.
Greater than a 12 months in the past, Fujitsu boss Paul Patterson mentioned the corporate had a “moral obligation” to contribute in the direction of redress for victims.
Enterprise secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Mr Patterson at this time held a “positive and constructive” assembly in Japan – the place Fujitsu agreed to start talks on compensation.
The UK authorities “welcomes Fujitsu’s repeated commitment to its moral obligation to contribute” in the direction of compensation for the Horizon scandal victims, a joint assertion mentioned.
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Jonathan Reynolds, seen right here on the Publish Workplace Horizon IT inquiry, travelled to Japan for the assembly. Pic: PA
Forward of the completion of the inquiry into the scandal, the pair “agreed to progress discussions regarding Fujitsu’s contribution, acknowledging many parties are involved,” it added.
Extra on Publish Workplace Scandal
Officers will “continue to engage with Fujitsu”, however the UK authorities won’t be making a “running commentary” on discussions, the assertion mentioned.
It additionally mentioned the federal government is “grateful” for Fujitsu’s engagement with the Publish Workplace inquiry “and its continued focus on delivering its public services commitments in the UK”.
‘Utter shame’
It comes because the widow of a Publish Workplace scandal sufferer, who obtained a compensation supply days after his loss of life, described her state of affairs as an “utter disgrace”.
Janet Walters, 68, misplaced her husband Terry in February – per week earlier than a letter arrived providing “less than half” of his unique declare for monetary redress.
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‘Completely disgusted by size of time it is taken’
Terry Walters was one among 555 sub-postmasters who gained a authorized battle towards the Publish Workplace in 2019.
Janet described the size of time many victims have needed to anticipate a proposal of compensation as one other “scandal”.
“It’s a scandal what they did with the Horizon system, it’s a scandal now because of the length of time it’s taken [on redress].”
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Protestors outdoors the Publish Workplace Horizon IT inquiry final 12 months. Pic: PA
Hundreds ready for compensation
New figures present greater than £768m has been now paid to greater than 5,100 victims throughout all redress schemes.
The Division for Enterprise and Commerce mentioned this was a “more than tripling” of the whole quantity of redress paid since June 2024.
There are, nonetheless, nonetheless tons of ready for compensation within the GLO (Group Litigation Order) scheme, with greater than 200 but to obtain full redress.
There are additionally greater than 4,000 but to be paid within the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), though since final month, over 700 have obtained compensation.
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Publish Workplace scandal youngsters search justice
In a separate assertion after the assembly in Japan, Mr Reynolds mentioned: “We must never forget the lives ruined by the Horizon scandal and no amount of redress can take away that pain. But justice can and must be done.
“This authorities is set to carry these accountable to account and can proceed to make fast progress on compensation and redress.
“Since we took office, we have more than tripled the total amount of redress paid to victims, and today we took another significant step towards justice.”
