In response to the independent Kroll report, the UK government has acknowledged flaws in the Capture accounting software used by the Post Office in the 1990s. This move aims to ensure justice for postmasters affected by system errors, with plans for redress to be finalized by Spring 2025.
Government Response to the Kroll Report
Acknowledging Past Injustices
The Capture accounting system, in use from 1992 to 1999, predates the widely known Horizon system that caused thousands of postmasters to face wrongful accusations. The government’s recognition of Capture’s potential for similar errors extends accountability beyond the Horizon era.
The findings from the Kroll report indicate:
- Capture likely caused discrepancies in branch accounts.
- A smaller scale of impact compared to Horizon due to limited deployment.
- Significant challenges in investigating decades-old claims, including loss of evidence and unclear user records.
Steps Toward Compensation and Justice
The UK government has outlined a multi-pronged approach to address these historical injustices:
- Redress Scheme Development
- Working with affected postmasters and their legal representatives.
- Setting criteria for eligibility and scope of compensation.
- Aiming to publish proposals by Spring 2025.
- Reviewing Potential Wrongful Convictions
- Urging the Post Office to provide all relevant records to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and its Scottish counterpart (SCCRC).
- Collaborating to assess and, where applicable, overturn convictions linked to Capture.
- Public Call for Evidence
- Encouraging individuals impacted by Capture to come forward with their stories via email: capture@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
Challenges in Delivering Justice
The passage of time has created significant obstacles in addressing Capture-related claims, including:
- Loss of key evidence related to shortfalls, suspensions, and prosecutions.
- Uncertainty regarding the number of prosecutions tied to Capture data.
- At least 19 different software versions complicating investigations.
Despite these difficulties, the government is committed to ensuring postmasters receive fair compensation and justice.
Summary of Government Initiatives
Initiative |
Details |
Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation Scheme | Develop redress framework with input from stakeholders. | By Spring 2025 |
| Support for Wrongful Convictions | Urgent review of records to identify unsafe convictions. | Ongoing |
| Public Engagement | Collect evidence and testimonies from impacted individuals. | Immediate |
A Step Toward Restoring Trust
The government has also announced additional measures to support the Post Office network, including a £37.5 million subsidy and a one-time £20 million payment to boost postmasters’ remuneration. These steps aim to address longstanding issues and rebuild trust in this vital institution.
Lessons Learn’t
The Capture software issue underscores the importance of addressing systemic flaws within public institutions. By committing to justice and fair compensation, the government seeks to rectify past mistakes and ensure such errors are never repeated.
Sources: THX News, Department for Business and Trade, Gareth Thomas MP & The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP.
