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The UK government, Post Office Ltd, and Fujitsu Services Limited have today (October 31, 2025) launched a “restorative justice programme” for sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon IT scandal.
The announcement is a response to recommendations from the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, which called for a structured approach to acknowledging and repairing the harm caused.
The initiative offers postmasters the chance to participate in “Listening and Learning Circles”, facilitated by the Restorative Justice Council, where they can share experiences and contribute to the design of the programme.
A first phase has already begun in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and London, with up to six confidential supportive sessions available for participants.
Officials described the scheme as a “first step” toward recognising the suffering of those wrongfully prosecuted or otherwise harmed by Horizon system errors and Post Office failings.
While the programme focuses on dialogue and emotional redress, financial compensation for affected postmasters continues through the established Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme and Horizon Shortfall Scheme, which offer fixed and assessed payments depending on eligibility.
The Department for Business and Trade said today that the restorative justice initiative represents the government’s commitment to acknowledge past wrongs and provide meaningful support to victims of the scandal.
It joins a series of previously-announced packages.
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Here are the details of everything that is now available to victims of the scandal:
Through the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) for those whose convictions were quashed, eligible individuals can choose a fixed and final offer of £600,000 instead of a detailed assessment or a detailed assessment of their losses (which could exceed £600,000) via the assessment route.
Through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS): for those who were not part of the earlier group litigation or convictions route, but suffered losses, a fixed sum payment of £75,000 is available for many of those eligible.
Through the restorative justice initiative by the Restorative Justice Council, “Listening and Learning Circles” are to take place across the UK so that those harmed can share their experiences and help shape the programme. For some participants, the scheme will offer up to six confidential supportive listening sessions (via secure online/video or telephone) as part of a pilot.
The precise scope and schedule of the restorative justice programme has not been fully specified; although many sessions are being announced and a pilot is underway, it is not yet fully clear what the full offer will look like (whether this includes formal apologies, how compensation for emotional/psychological harm will be handled, and so on).
For many affected, “full and fair” redress is still being defined in practice. Some of the offers depend on eligibility criteria, choice (fixed offer v assessment), and the timing of applications.
It appears that while large amounts are available (like the £600,000 fixed offer), many claimants may opt for the detailed assessment route, which brings complexity and uncertainty.
And the restorative justice offer is more of a process right now – listening, pilot sessions – rather than a concrete, uniform benefit package for all.
Today’s announcement is a stopgap.
The restorative justice programme is primarily about acknowledgement, listening, and providing a structured space for victims to share their experiences.
It’s largely non-financial, with support sessions and dialogue rather than new direct payments.
The launch is symbolically significant and a practical start, but it’s not the final word on compensation, apology, or wider systemic reform.
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Post Office launches new restorative justice programme for sub-postmasters
Share this post:
The UK government, Post Office Ltd, and Fujitsu Services Limited have today (October 31, 2025) launched a “restorative justice programme” for sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon IT scandal.
The announcement is a response to recommendations from the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, which called for a structured approach to acknowledging and repairing the harm caused.
The initiative offers postmasters the chance to participate in “Listening and Learning Circles”, facilitated by the Restorative Justice Council, where they can share experiences and contribute to the design of the programme.
A first phase has already begun in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and London, with up to six confidential supportive sessions available for participants.
Officials described the scheme as a “first step” toward recognising the suffering of those wrongfully prosecuted or otherwise harmed by Horizon system errors and Post Office failings.
While the programme focuses on dialogue and emotional redress, financial compensation for affected postmasters continues through the established Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme and Horizon Shortfall Scheme, which offer fixed and assessed payments depending on eligibility.
The Department for Business and Trade said today that the restorative justice initiative represents the government’s commitment to acknowledge past wrongs and provide meaningful support to victims of the scandal.
It joins a series of previously-announced packages.
Here are the details of everything that is now available to victims of the scandal:
Through the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) for those whose convictions were quashed, eligible individuals can choose a fixed and final offer of £600,000 instead of a detailed assessment or a detailed assessment of their losses (which could exceed £600,000) via the assessment route.
Through the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS): for those who were not part of the earlier group litigation or convictions route, but suffered losses, a fixed sum payment of £75,000 is available for many of those eligible.
Through the restorative justice initiative by the Restorative Justice Council, “Listening and Learning Circles” are to take place across the UK so that those harmed can share their experiences and help shape the programme. For some participants, the scheme will offer up to six confidential supportive listening sessions (via secure online/video or telephone) as part of a pilot.
The precise scope and schedule of the restorative justice programme has not been fully specified; although many sessions are being announced and a pilot is underway, it is not yet fully clear what the full offer will look like (whether this includes formal apologies, how compensation for emotional/psychological harm will be handled, and so on).
For many affected, “full and fair” redress is still being defined in practice. Some of the offers depend on eligibility criteria, choice (fixed offer v assessment), and the timing of applications.
It appears that while large amounts are available (like the £600,000 fixed offer), many claimants may opt for the detailed assessment route, which brings complexity and uncertainty.
And the restorative justice offer is more of a process right now – listening, pilot sessions – rather than a concrete, uniform benefit package for all.
Today’s announcement is a stopgap.
The restorative justice programme is primarily about acknowledgement, listening, and providing a structured space for victims to share their experiences.
It’s largely non-financial, with support sessions and dialogue rather than new direct payments.
The launch is symbolically significant and a practical start, but it’s not the final word on compensation, apology, or wider systemic reform.
Support Vox Political!
With social media algorithms acting as gatekeepers – allowing users to read only what their owners want them to, sites like Vox Political need the support of our readers like never before.
You can help by making a donation:
https://Ko-fi.com/voxpolitical
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