The UK government has announced the details of the Capture Redress Scheme, which will provide compensation to postmasters who suffered financial shortfalls due to a faulty computer system known as Capture.
This follows the government’s efforts to address the historic injustices caused by the Horizon IT scandal, in which postmasters were wrongly accused of financial crimes due to system errors. The Capture Redress Scheme aims to offer fair and accessible compensation, addressing issues dating back to the 1990s.
Background of the Capture Redress Scheme
The Capture system was used by postmasters in Post Office branches between 1992 and 2000. It was found to have caused financial shortfalls, impacting postmasters who operated the system.
This problem continued until the Horizon IT scandal came to light, where postmasters were wrongfully accused and convicted of theft and fraud, leading to a long and painful battle for justice.
To address this, the government has created the Capture Redress Scheme, which will compensate those postmasters affected by Capture-related errors.
This new scheme follows the government’s previous efforts to compensate victims of the Horizon scandal, including the £1 billion already paid to over 7,300 affected postmasters.
Details of the Capture Redress Scheme
The Capture Redress Scheme has been designed to be fair, transparent, and accessible, taking into account the unique challenges of claims dating back over 20 years. Here are the key details:
A Fair Process
The scheme is structured to offer a straightforward two-stage process:
- Eligibility Review: The first stage involves reviewing the eligibility of claims.
- Independent Panel Assessment: The second stage involves an independent panel of experts assessing the claims and determining the compensation amounts.
The government also ensures a holistic approach, considering both the financial losses and the wider personal impacts on the affected postmasters.
Prompt and Fair Redress
The scheme is designed to offer early acknowledgment of loss, with prompt preliminary payments for eligible claimants. This is intended to ensure that postmasters receive compensation without delay.
Additionally, the scheme employs a scoring and banding model, ensuring that the awards are consistent while also maintaining some flexibility to reflect the individual circumstances of each case.
Eligibility for the Redress Scheme
Postmasters who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Capture Redress Scheme:
- They were postmasters between 1992 and 2000.
- They used the Capture system in their branch.
- They suffered financial shortfalls as a result of Capture software errors.
The scheme will also accept applications from relatives of deceased postmasters or those needing additional support.
Independent Review Process
An independent panel will review all eligible claims, ensuring that the process is free from government influence. The panel will:
- Take a holistic view of each claim, even where documentation may be limited.
- Apply a balance of probabilities standard of proof to assess each claim.
- Recommend appropriate payment levels based on the assessment.
- Allow claimants the right to appeal in certain cases.
Timeline and Next Steps
The Capture Redress Scheme will officially open for applications in Autumn 2025, with a phased rollout initially for 150 claimants. This phased approach is designed to ensure that the process is fair and accessible before it is opened to a wider group of postmasters.
In the coming weeks, the government will provide further details on funding for postmasters’ legal costs and how to apply to the scheme.
The announcement of the Capture Redress Scheme marks a significant step in addressing the financial wrongs done to postmasters due to faulty software. With over £1 billion already paid out to those affected by the Horizon IT scandal, this new scheme ensures that the government remains committed to righting past wrongs.
By offering a straightforward, independent, and accessible process, the Capture Redress Scheme provides postmasters with the opportunity for fair compensation and closure after decades of hardship.
