09/10/2025
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A closing date has been announced for Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications. All new applications for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme must be received by 11:59pm on 31 January 2026.
The scheme will continue to operate after 31 January to progress applications which have already been received, but no new applications will be accepted after 11:59pm on 31 January.
Commenting on the announcement, Post Office Chair, Nigel Railton, said:
“We have been working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to respond to the recommendations in Volume 1 of Sir Wyn Williams’ Inquiry report and to speed up redress payments to those who have been impacted by this awful scandal.
“I am pleased that we have made progress, with over £1.2 billion now paid to 9,100 people across all schemes. But there is still more work to do.
“We accept the recommendation that a date should be set for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme to close. We have now agreed with the Department for Business and Trade that 31 January 2026 should be the deadline for accepting new applications into the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. We have chosen this date, which is later than the one proposed by Sir Wyn Williams, to give potential applicants more time to consider and submit their applications after the Christmas peak period, which is particularly busy for current postmasters.
“I encourage any current or former postmaster who thinks they might be eligible for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme to get in touch ahead of the closure date. We have a dedicated claimant support team available on the phone to discuss your options, provide support, and answer any questions so we can begin to process your claim right away.” ENDS
This announcement is in response to a recommendation made by Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams in his Volume 1 report, which was published on 8 July 2025. You can read the full Volume 1 report, which includes all 19 recommendations, here.
The Department for Business and Trade’s full response to all of the recommendations, is available here. Where the recommendations are jointly addressed to Post Office, we have discussed and agreed the Department’s response. Separately, Post Office has also written to the Inquiry in response to the recommendations set out in the Volume 1 report, which is available here
