Over 12,000 eligible claims made to scheme before closure
Over 12,000 eligible claims were made to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme before its closure date on 31st January 2026.
Data from the final day of the scheme reveals that a total of 12,463 eligible claims were submitted between 2020 when the scheme opened and when it closed on 31st January this year.
It was also noted there was a sharp increase in applications in the weeks before the closing deadline, which is still being processed by the Post Office, meaning the number of ‘claims received’ is expected to rise.
The Horizon Shortfall Scheme is operated by the Post Office and is for current and former postmasters who experienced shortfalls related to previous versions of the Horizon system. The closing date was set at 31st January 2026 in response to a recommendation made by Public Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams in his Volume 1 report.
The latest figures from 31st January show that of the 12,463 eligible claims, offers have been made to 10,940 people; 88% of eligible claims have received an offer. To date, £863 million has been paid through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. Of this, nearly £548 million was paid out in 2025 alone (over 63%).
The rate at which claims are being completed has improved, with an eightfold increase in the number of Horizon Shortfall Scheme claims resolved in 2025 compared with 2024.
Last year saw a number of important changes made to the scheme in order to improve efficiency and provide greater support to help people with their applications. For example, those who have applied now have a dedicated person to contact with queries or concerns about their application as it progresses through the scheme, so they can stay updated while the Post Office’s Remediation Contact Centre is also available by phone or email.
Remediation Director at Post Office, Joanne Hanley said she was glad that people had taken the opportunity to submit their applications to the scheme.
“Our specialist teams are fully committed to processing applications as quickly as possible to bring resolution for those who have applied, and we are aiming to complete the majority of Fixed Sum Offer claims by summer 2026 and the majority of fully assessed claims by the end of the year,” she said.
Managed by the Department for Business and Trade, the scheme process is also available for applicants who are unhappy with their offer to ensure they have the full opportunity to receive fair redress.
