Closing date announced for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications

Closing date announced for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications

A closing date has been announced for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications. All new applications for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme must be received by 11:59pm on 31 January 2026.

The scheme will continue to operate after 31 January to progress applications which have already been received, but no new applications will be accepted after 11:59pm on 31 January.

Commenting on the announcement, Post Office Chair, Nigel Railton, said:

“We have been working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to respond to the recommendations in Volume 1 of Sir Wyn Williams’ Inquiry report and to speed up redress payments to those who have been impacted by this awful scandal.

“I am pleased that we have made progress, with over £1.2 billion now paid to 9,100 people across all schemes. But there is still more work to do.

“We accept the recommendation that a date should be set for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme to close. We have now agreed with the Department for Business and Trade that 31 January 2026 should be the deadline for accepting new applications into the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. We have chosen this date, which is later than the one proposed by Sir Wyn Williams, to give potential applicants more time to consider and submit their applications after the Christmas peak period, which is particularly busy for current postmasters.

“I encourage any current or former postmaster who thinks they might be eligible for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme to get in touch ahead of the closure date. We have a dedicated claimant support team available on the phone to discuss your options, provide support, and answer any questions so we can begin to process your claim right away.” ENDS

This announcement is in response to a recommendation made by Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams in his Volume 1 report, which was published on 8 July 2025. You can read the full Volume 1 report, which includes all 19 recommendations, here.

The Department for Business and Trade’s full response to all of the recommendations, is available here. Where the recommendations are jointly addressed to Post Office, we have discussed and agreed the Department’s response. Separately, Post Office has also written to the Inquiry in response to the recommendations set out in the Volume 1 report, which is available here.

Notes to editors

Information and support for potential applicants to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme

Those who apply to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme can choose between a £75,000 fixed sum offer or a full assessment of their case if they believe they are entitled to a higher amount.

Any eligible current or former postmaster who was impacted and wishes to apply to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme can start their application by visiting: The Horizon Shortfall Scheme | One Post Office. Applications can also be submitted by post.

Those who currently have a contract with Post Office, or who previously had one, and experienced shortfalls related to previous versions of Horizon are encouraged to check the eligibility criteria and submit an application. Applications can also be submitted on behalf of those who are ill, unable to do so themselves, or who have died, subject to certain criteria.

More information, including full eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions, is available on the Horizon Shortfall Scheme website. Help and support is available for those with further questions via phone and email from a dedicated claimant support team.

Potential applicants can call the Remediation Contact Centre on 0333 665 1093 or email horizonshortfallscheme@postoffice.co.ukwith questions or for support.

Background on the redress schemes

There are three main schemes providing financial redress to those affected by the scandal:

1. Group Litigation Order (GLO) Scheme: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is administering the GLO scheme, which provides ex-gratia redress for postmasters who were claimants in the Group Litigation and part of its settlement in 2019.

1. Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS): DBT is also administering the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme which was opened to provide redress for people whose criminal convictions have been overturned. Since 3 June 2025, this also includes criminal convictions that were overturned by the courts (i.e. that were previously within the Overturned Convictions process).

1. Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS): Post Office is administering the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, established in 2020 to provide redress for postmasters who were not claimants in the Group Litigation but who suffered losses related to previous versions of the Post Office’s Horizon computer system.

As of 30 September, £1.229 billion has been paid to 9,100 people across all schemes. A breakdown of these figures can be accessed here: Post Office Horizon financial redress and legal costs data for 2025 - GOV.UK

In addition to the schemes above, Post Office operates the Post Office Process Review (PPR) and the Suspension Renumeration Review (SSR) which are separate schemes intended to provide redress for current and former postmasters who were adversely affected by previous operational policies, unrelated to the Horizon system. The SRR will also be closing to new applications from 11:59pm on 31 January 2026. Please see more information about the SRR here. The PPR will remain open to new applications after 31 January 2026.

Restorative justice

In addition to paying financial redress, Post Office is committed to supporting those impacted by the Horizon IT Scandal through a meaningful restorative justice programme.

The Restorative Justice Council launched the Horizon Project in September 2025, a restorative justice programme for individuals affected by the Horizon IT Scandal. The project has started with a series of six meetings around the UK which are open to all who have been impacted, including family members, to share their thoughts and feelings about what a future restorative justice programme should include. More information on the project and how to contribute is available here.  

The project is jointly funded by Post Office, Fujitsu and the Department for Business and Trade, but the Restorative Justice Council is an independent organisation. Representatives from the Department for Business and Trade, Post Office and Fujitsu will not be present at the initial meetings.

Post Office will be providing a full update to the Inquiry on its restorative justice programme by 31 October 2025, as required by Sir Wyn Williams in his Volume 1 report.  

ENDS