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Capture Compensation Scheme Faces Backlash as Subpostmasters Report ‘Derisory’ offers
Subpostmasters impacted by errors in the Post office’s Capture software are encountering important hurdles in receiving fair compensation, mirroring the struggles faced by victims of the Horizon scandal. Many are reporting offers far below their calculated claims and facing obstacles when attempting to appeal.
Former subpostmaster Lee Bowerman has publicly called for equal treatment under the redress schemes, after receiving a settlement offer representing just 7% of his professionally assessed losses. he is now considering withdrawing from the compensation process, citing concerns over the handling of consequential losses, consideration of consequential damages, valuation principles, recognition of prolonged harm, and crucially, the appeal process. He fears the current framework is fundamentally flawed.
“I do not consider it appropriate for my claim to continue through determination or appeal while fundamental issues remain unresolved,” Bowerman wrote, highlighting concerns about changes to the appeals process since the scheme’s launch.
A government spokesperson disputed the 7% figure,stating that the scheme is designed to address the time elapsed and recognize harm even with limited records.They added that claimants dissatisfied with their offer can appeal to the chair of the autonomous panel. Though, this assurance has done little to quell the growing discontent.
As of December 19th,the Capture compensation scheme has received 110 applications,with 20 deemed eligible,90 under assessment,and only one offer made – and not yet accepted. Eligible claimants receive an initial payment of £10,000 while their full claim is processed by an independent panel.
The situation echoes the early stages of the Horizon compensation scheme, where initial offers were often significantly lower than claimed, only to be substantially increased following appeals. For instance,Hudgell Solicitors,representing numerous affected subpostmasters,cited the case of Bob Stevenson,who initially received £51,200 in May 2023 – a figure that has since risen to £502,000 on appeal. The firm highlighted that the initial offer only covered direct financial losses, failing to account for the devastating impact of his suspension, contract termination, buisness failure, and subsequent bankruptcy. Other examples include increases from £4,400 to £133,700, £17,700 to £253,900, and £21,690 to £238,000.
Victims of the Capture software’s errors are expressing feelings of being treated as “second-class citizens.” The Capture scheme currently offers redress payments up to £300,000, with “exceptional cases” possibly receiving more.
Bowerman emphasized that proceeding under the current circumstances risks solidifying an unfair outcome. “A pause is therefore necessary to preserve fairness, prevent prejudice and allow these systemic issues to be properly considered and addressed before any further steps are taken in relation to my claim,” he wrote, also requesting an “urgent meeting” with Minister McDougall.
Betty Brown, described as the oldest living victim of the Post Office scandal, experienced a similar pattern of low-ball offers under the Horizon scheme before ultimately receiving 100% of her claim on appeal. She condemned the Post Office’s continued “scandalous management of postmasters” and labeled the current settlement offers as “abusive.”
Beyond compensation, campaigners are advocating for the overturning of criminal convictions secured on the basis of unexplained shortfalls attributed to the Capture system, mirroring the legislative action taken to address wrongful convictions linked to the Horizon software. currently, former Capture users and those impacted by other problematic Post Office IT systems are navigating the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). The CCRC is currently assessing 35 potential miscarriages of justice related to these “pre-Horizon” cases, with one Capture user’s appeal already referred to the Court of Appeal, alongside an appeal from a user of the APS/APT system.
The Horizon Compensation Advisory Board has formally urged the Secretary of State for Justice to legislate for the overturning of convictions based on the Capture system. The board, comprised of influential figures like peers James Arbuthnot and Kevan Jones – both long-time advocates for Post Office victims – believes a similar legislative approach to that used for Horizon-related convictions is warranted. The fight for justice for those impacted by the Capture software continues, with subpostmasters demanding parity, fairness, and a thorough review of the compensation process.
Related Terms
- Consequential Losses: Losses that are a direct result of the initial harm caused by the Capture software errors.
- Valuation Principles: The
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