Correspondence

Horizon Family Members Redress Scheme: letter to the Business and Trade Select Committee

Published 19 March 2026

Blair McDougall MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Minister for Small Business & Economic Transformation 
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY
United Kingdom

Liam Byrne
Chair
Business and Trade Select Committee

Horizon Family Members Redress Scheme 

Dear Liam,

I am writing to update you on the development of the Post Office Horizon Family Members Redress scheme, which was announced on 8 July last year. I attach a copy of the Written Ministerial Statement I have laid before Parliament today. I am also sharing a copy of my letter to Lost Chances (who represent the children of postmasters affected by the scandal), which sets out my scheme proposals in detail.

The scheme builds on the £1,475 billion compensation already paid out to postmasters and recognises that the scandal’s devastating consequences were felt not just by those running post offices, but by those closest to them. The scheme will run alongside our existing Horizon compensation schemes which offer redress to postmasters for losses that impacted both them and their families. This scheme will additionally recognise the specific experiences of family members and compensate them for any personal injuries they received.

I am still considering the contents of your report published on 13 March 2026 and will reply to all of its contents in due course.

Over the coming months, my officials and I will continue to engage with interested parties to refine the scheme and work towards a summer launch.

Yours sincerely,

Blair McDougall MP 
Minister for Small Businesses & Economic Transformation