Sir Wyn's address on Phase 7 survey of current sub-postmasters and Horizon Shortfall Scheme applicants

As Core Participants and members of the public will be aware, the final phase of the Inquiry, Phase 7, is concerned essentially with the here and now. 

I will be enquiring into such questions as: how does the Post Office treat sub-postmasters?  What is the culture of the Post Office like now?  How does that culture compare with the culture prevailing before the Group Litigation?  How do those who are entitled to compensation view their experiences of making claims?   Has the Post Office and Government delivered on its promise to provide compensation which is full and fair?

In order to help me answer these questions, I have commissioned YouGov, an independent reach and data analytics firm, to conduct two surveys. 

One survey is aimed at current sub-postmasters. The second survey is for those who have applied for compensation under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme. 

I want to hear from all of those persons to whom these surveys will be sent. 

As people with direct experience of the topics covered by the surveys, they are best placed to provide me with invaluable information about key issues relating to current practices within the Post Office, and how the largest compensation scheme has operated in practice. 

To current sub-postmasters, let me make one thing clear: I know full well it can be difficult to speak about the challenges you have faced, or still face at work, or in your claims for compensation.  Let me assure you that these surveys are in no way connected to the Post Office; they are anonymous and no individual will be identified when the findings are published. 

Some of the applicants to the Horizon Shortfall Scheme will have negotiated compensation payments with Post Office on a without-prejudice basis.  I am pleased to be able to report that Post Office has agreed to waive the legal privilege which attaches to such negotiations, specifically for these surveys. This means that those applicants who conducted negotiations on a without-prejudice basis can share their experiences when responding to the surveys without fear of repercussions. 

I want to make public too that Post Office, at the Inquiry's request, will shortly be writing to all applicants to the Historic Shortfall Scheme inviting them to waive their legal privilege in respect of certain information about the scheme. The Post Office is taking that step so as to enable it to answer requests for information which the Inquiry has requested it should provide. I urge all applicants to the scheme to respond positively to this letter so the Inquiry is given as much information as possible on how the scheme is running. 

The answers which are provided to the surveys will be treated as formal evidence to the Inquiry, and they will be analysed by YouGov in a report.  Such a report will, I have no doubt, help to make sure valuable lessons can be learnt.

From this week, some 16,000 people will be contacted directly via email. The surveys can be completed online, or over the telephone for those who need reasonable adjustments. If you are both a current sub-postmaster and you applied for compensation understanding the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, you will receive two separate survey links, one for each survey. 

Let me conclude by saying this: human stories are at the heart of this Inquiry.   

As will be obvious by now, and as I have said from time to time, I have been deeply affected by the accounts of hardship and suffering endured by many. I urge all those who are contacted to complete the surveys, and I offer my heartfelt thanks now to all those who take the time and trouble to do so.