The government is considering a separate scheme to provide redress to the families of subputmasters affected by the Post Office Scandal,
Fujitsu, which recently agreed to begin negotiation Redress Schemes, Including the treatment of family members.
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas Said He Recognies The Horizon Scandal's “Knock-On Effect” on the Children of affected subspecers.
“I have asked officials in my department to consider a government Redress Scheme for Family Members and Will Provide an update in the coming months,” He Said.
If approved, this will add another redress scheme to the three for subpostmasters affected by Horizon Problems, and One in the Making For there affected by problems with the capture softwareWhich was used in post office branches before Horizon's Introduction in 1999.
The Lost Chances for SubPostmaster Children Support Group, which was set up to brings to the child of post office scandal Victims to Demand Support and Redress for their Suffering, also called for any person affected by the treatyed by the treaty By the post office to register their interest.
The post office minister met with the lost chances group representatives yesterday (19 March). Group Chair rebekah foot described the meeting as “a positive and productive one”.
“We felt truly heard, as the minister Approached Our Concerns with Honesty and Compassion. It was clear that they undersrstand the challenges faceed by Children and Families Defected by Significant gap in government support for these groups, ”She said.
Foot added that while there is currently no scheme to address the needs of the child of affected subspecers, the minister across the importance of this is the issue. “The government is keen to engage with us as a group, recognizing that we represent a significant number of Victims,” She said.
The Lost Chances Group was set up by katie downyDaughter of Former SubPostmaster Tony Downey, to highlight the issues that children and wider familys have sufred as a result of post office and fujitsu malevolence. This was after she Read a computer weekly report About Fujitsu Boss Paul Patterson's Promise to Support Families of Victims during a hearing a hearing in the scandal statutory public inquiry in January 2024.
Lofty Promies Still Unmet
During hearing, patterson was asked by kc sam stein, representing Victims, beyond financial redress, fujitsuld consider what else it cold do to support victims and their family forms in the Future. “You may want to think that what could be done by fujitsu is supporting people in the future, subputmasters in future, [the] entrepreneurial endeavors [of] Their familyies or in education, “He said.” Will Fujitsu Consider that type of support? “
Patterson Responded: “If i was to be able to engage in that with subpostmasters and their representatives, [that] Would be absolutely whating we would like to consider. I think skills in our country, without jumping too far, is very important, and i think there are things that we can do in our technology world that may or may not be of help to help to help to Associated Families. So, I would engage in that conversation, mr stein. “
But over a year laater, the group is still waiting for any meaningful talks or commitment from Fujitsu.
Fujitsu had not responded to a request for comment when this article was published.
Lost Chances' Foot Told Computer Weekly: “We will continue to advocate for our members and Remain dedicated to expanding our group, work to find and support others who are affected by. Additionally, we are determined to push forward with talks with the government regarding how they plan to support the childless affected by the post office scandal, ensuring their needs are not overlooked. “
Foot Had Her Family Life Ruined when Her Mother, At One Time The Youngest Eve Subposter, Began Experience Serious Serious Problems du to Unexplained Losses in Her Branch in 2006, and Was Eventoly Made Bankrupt in 2014. She said life has been a struggle for her family.