MPs Condemn Fujitsu for Zero Contribution to Post Office Scandal Redress
The Business and Trade Committee has launched a scathing attack on Fujitsu, accusing the Japanese technology firm of failing to contribute "a single penny" towards the nearly £1.5 billion redress bill for victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal. The committee has also called for urgent parliamentary action to quash pre-Horizon convictions, warning that current compensation processes contain "serious structural failings" that continue to harm those affected.
Compensation Failings and Delays
According to the committee's report, more than 11,500 claimants have received payments worth approximately £1.48 billion through various compensation schemes established for postmasters impacted by faulty versions of the Horizon computer system. However, the total costs of redress escalate to around £2 billion when legal, administrative, and pre-Horizon system costs are factored in.
The Horizon accounting system, developed and maintained by Fujitsu, falsely indicated that money was missing from branch accounts, leading to what has been described as "one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British history." Between 1999 and 2015, approximately 1,000 people were wrongly prosecuted and convicted across the UK.
Despite progress in delivering redress, the committee reports that thousands of sub-postmasters remain waiting for compensation. Many victims continue to face significant delays, inadequate settlement offers, and administrative procedures that "retraumatise" individuals who have already suffered profound injustice.
Fujitsu's Moral Obligation
MP Liam Byrne, chairman of the Business and Trade Committee, expressed outrage at the current situation. "Thousands of victims are still waiting for fair redress, while the processes designed to help them are too often slow, bureaucratic and retraumatising," he stated. "That is simply unacceptable after one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British history."
Byrne particularly criticised Fujitsu's financial position, noting that while the company has acknowledged a "moral obligation" to contribute to redress costs, it has made no interim payments nor agreed to any specific financial contribution. "Worse, Fujitsu has yet to contribute a penny to the nearly £2 billion redress bill, even as it continues to benefit from public contracts," he said. "That cannot continue. It is simply wrong that taxpayers are covering the costs for Fujitsu's sins while Fujitsu is still profiting from taxpayers-funded contracts."
Fujitsu continues to supply its IT systems to the Post Office and various Government departments through multiple ongoing contracts. A company spokeswoman responded, stating: "We continue to work with UK Government to ensure we adhere to the voluntary restrictions we put in place regarding bidding for new contracts while the Post Office Inquiry is ongoing, and are engaged with Government regarding Fujitsu's contribution to compensation."
Pre-Horizon Convictions Concern
The committee has raised additional concerns about unsafe convictions linked to earlier systems such as Capture, which pre-dates the Horizon software. Byrne warned that these cases "may be only the tip of another iceberg" and called for swift parliamentary action. "Parliament must act quickly to quash these convictions and ensure that every victim finally gets the justice they deserve," he emphasised.
A compensation scheme for sub-postmasters forced to repay shortfalls from the faulty Capture accounting system was launched last year, but concerns remain about the adequacy and timeliness of redress for all affected individuals.
Post Office Response
A Post Office spokeswoman acknowledged the committee's scrutiny, stating: "We welcome the scrutiny of the committee and its commitment to ensuring full, fair and timely redress is paid to those harmed during the Horizon scandal." She noted that progress has been made, with 87% of eligible Horizon Shortfall Scheme applications having received offers and £882 million paid through the scheme. "We are processing applications as quickly as possible to bring resolution to those who have applied," she added.
The Business and Trade Committee's report highlights ongoing challenges in delivering justice to victims of the Post Office scandal, with particular focus on corporate accountability and the need for comprehensive compensation reform. The committee has pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely as compensation processes evolve and further evidence emerges about the full extent of the miscarriage of justice.
