Victims of the UK Post Office Horizon scandal are being encouraged to pursue legal action against the government due to mounting frustration over delays in compensation payouts.
In an email obtained by Sky News, prominent campaigner Sir Alan Bates warned that, based on current progress, it could take until November 2027 for all claims to be resolved.
Bates, who led the landmark legal case that exposed the scandal, said delays are particularly severe in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme, which supports the 555 sub-postmasters who successfully sued the Post Office.
Hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongly convicted of theft and false accounting due to errors in the Fujitsu-developed Horizon software, which falsely indicated financial discrepancies.
The fallout led to bankruptcies, mental and physical health struggles, and the breakdown of families.
Compensation is currently being administered through four separate schemes by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
However, Sir Alan labelled the GLO scheme “a mess” and criticised the DBT for failing to act on expert advice from victims’ lawyers and the relevant Select Committee to streamline the process.
He said: “Our proposals to accelerate the process have been routinely dismissed with feeble excuses. Across all schemes, victims continue to face delays, excessive scrutiny, and underwhelming offers.”
Sir Alan noted that many victims had received offers well below the actual value of their claims, particularly in larger cases.
He alleged that DBT lawyers routinely challenge claims already verified by legal professionals, with some compensation reduced by up to 50% in cases involving spouses.
In some instances, applicants are asked to provide further documentation that is “obviously not available”, further prolonging delays.
Figures shared in the email suggest that just 66 cases have been fully resolved in the past six months, with 210 still outstanding.
As a result, Bates urged victims to consider launching a judicial review or a fresh legal challenge, even for those who have already accepted offers. He said such action might be the only way to achieve fair and consistent treatment across all compensation schemes.
He added that victims from each scheme would need to step forward to support this next phase of the campaign. A national fundraising effort may also be launched to cover legal costs, with Bates offering to assist in its coordination.
In response, a government spokesperson disputed the 2027 forecast, stating: “We do not accept this timeline. As of 31 March, 76% of the GLO group had received full and final compensation, or at least 80% of their offer. Nearly 90% of initial offers are now issued within 40 working days of a completed claim.”
The spokesperson added: “So long as claimants respond in a timely manner, we expect all cases to be settled by the end of this year. We’ve trebled payment rates under this government and are resolving claims faster than ever to ensure victims receive the full and fair redress they deserve.”
