A £19.5 million interim compensation package is to be provided for postmasters who played a crucial role exposing the Horizon IT scandal.
Faults in accounting software installed led to wrongful prosecutions and convictions in a 16 year period between 1999 and 205.
Those taking the first legal action had a £43 million settlement swallowed up b legal costs, and were then ineligible for a shortfall scheme set up to compensate others.
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The government confirmed in MArch it would create a new pot, and the interim comes as that is finalised.
Postal Affairs Minister Paul Scully said: “These postmasters and their families have shown immense courage in the face of terrible circumstances.
“I hope this initial step provides some comfort to these pioneering postmasters while reaffirming our commitment to ensuring they receive their fair share in compensation.”
Postal Affairs Minister Paul Scully said:“These postmasters and their families have shown immense courage in the face of terrible circumstances.
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“I hope this initial step provides some comfort to these pioneering postmasters while reaffirming our commitment to ensuring they receive their fair share in compensation.”
It follows substantial progress on compensation, following landmark Court of Appeal judgements overturning convictions.
Hull law firm Hudgells has been at the heart of many.
As of this week, a total of 74 postmasters who had their Horizon-related convictions overturned have applied for an interim compensation payment.
A total of 67 payments have been made, with a total of nearly £7 million paid out to postmasters in compensation so far. The Post Office continues to work at pace with postmasters’ representatives on final compensation for those with overturned convictions.
A total of 1,550 eligible claimants to the Historical Shortfall Scheme, 65 per cent, have now received an offer.
Mr Scully has set the Post Office a target to make 100 per cent of HSS offers by the end of the year.
Postmasters in the GLO will be contacted by Freeths – the firm that represented them during that action – very shortly with application details and will receive payment once their application has been processed within a few weeks.