Government Policy on Health

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, opened the debate by providing an update on the government's response to the Horizon scandal. He acknowledged the devastating impact on the lives of the postmasters affected and expressed the government's commitment to ensuring they receive the redress they deserve. The Shadow Secretary of State, Kevin Hollinrake, welcomed the announcement of a new appeals process for those who have already settled their claims, but sought clarification on the scope and timeline of the process. He also raised concerns about the slow pace of the Horizon convictions redress scheme and the delays in notifying postmasters whose convictions have been quashed. In the broader debate that followed, members from across the House raised a range of issues. Several welcomed the appeals process but emphasized the need for it to be truly independent of the Post Office. Others highlighted the ongoing damage to the reputation of the Post Office and the challenges in attracting new postmasters, calling for a fundamental reform of the business model. The Secretary of State acknowledged the deep mistrust in the Post Office and the wider government, and pledged to learn the lessons from this and other recent scandals to rebuild trust. He stressed the importance of holding those responsible to account and ensuring that the findings of the ongoing inquiry are fully implemented. Members from both sides of the House paid tribute to the tireless campaigning of individuals such as Sir Alan Bates, recognizing that without their efforts, the scale of the injustice may never have been uncovered. The debate underscored the cross-party commitment to delivering justice for the postmasters affected and ensuring that such a failure of the state never happens again.