Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to clarify the new guidance sent to the Horizon Shortfall scheme by his Department on cases where a shortfall has previously not been identified; and what his planned timeline is for the new process to address these cases being available to claimants.

My Department is working with the Post Office to develop a way to fairly assess claims where there is no record of a Horizon Shortfall. Recognising the challenges postmasters may face in providing evidence, Post Office is further investigating its branch files as quickly as possible.

Fixed sum payments will be made as quickly as possible when evidence of shortfalls is found. Where further information is required, Post Office will ask individuals for further information.

Claimants opting for a full assessment will have their case considered on the basis of the evidence available.