Alan Bates led a group of 555 sub-postmasters in a landmark court case against the Post Office, which came to wider public attention after it was depicted in an ITV drama.
While the cohort secured a £42.5m settlement in 2019, the huge costs of going to the High Court meant each claimant received a relatively low compensation pay-out at the end of it.
The Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme was set up to ensure they received extra money to reflect the gravity of their situations. The scheme is funded and managed by the government.
As of January, people eligible for this scheme “will receive at least £75,000 in compensation upfront”.
The government estimates around two thirds will turn that offer down and push for more. In those cases, the government will award postmasters 80% of the initial offer made to them.
As of 30 August, £87m has been paid under the scheme, including interim payments. On 9 September, Labour said it will set a target of making an offer to 90% of sub-postmasters who have submitted a full claim within 40 days.
Of the 555 members of the GLO group, 63 had criminal convictions and therefore are not eligible for this scheme but they are eligible for other compensation – depending on how their convictions are overturned.
If they are quashed by the court, they can apply to the Overturned Convictions Scheme. If they are overturned under legislation – the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Act 2024 which became law in May – they can go to the newer Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme.