Over 12,400 eligible Horizon Shortfall Scheme claims received before scheme closure
Data from the final day of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme shows that a total of 12,463 eligible claims have been submitted between 2020, when the scheme opened, and 31 January 2026, when the scheme closed.
The Horizon Shortfall Scheme, which is operated by Post Office, is for current and former postmasters who experienced shortfalls related to previous versions of the Horizon system.
A closing date for the scheme was set at 31 January 2026 in response to a recommendation made by Public Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams in his Volume 1 report.
In the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, the latest figures from 31 January 2026 show:
- 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.
Joanne Hanley, Remediation Director at Post Office, said: “I am glad that people took the opportunity to submit their Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications ahead of the 31 January closing date. 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.”
The Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals process, which is managed by the Department for Business and Trade, is also available for applicants who are unhappy with their offer to ensure they have the full opportunity to receive fair redress.
Notes to editors
Please note that, late in this reporting period, there was a sharp increase in application volumes due to the scheme’s closing deadline of 31 January 2026. By the date of this publication, we are still processing this influx. Consequently, a further rise in ‘claims received’ is expected despite the scheme now having closed to new applications.
Full information for applicants is available on the Horizon Shortfall Scheme website: The Horizon Shortfall Scheme | One Post Office. https://www.onepostoffice.co.uk/scheme