Written question asked by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Crossbench) on Thursday, 18 January 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 February 2024. It was answered by Lord Offord of Garvel (Conservative) on Monday, 5 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Horizon IT System: Compensation

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to recover all compensation cost payments made to sub-postmasters and mistresses from Fujitsu, and when they expect Fujitsu’s contribution to those costs to be paid.

Answer: The extent of Fujitsu's culpability for the scandal will not be clear until the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry reports. However Ministers have made clear that the taxpayer should not have to meet all the costs of the scandal. In the light of such comments Fujitsu have recently apologised publicly for their role in the scandal and have accepted that they have a moral obligation to contribute to its costs. The Government welcomes these statements and will continue to discuss matters with Fujitsu.

Secondary information