Post Office Horizon Scandal: Compensation Payments

Lord Stirrup Excerpts

Tuesday 11th February 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

The purpose of the Sir Wyn Williams review is specifically to look at how this was able to occur within the Post Office, and make sure that those lessons have been learned. We are expecting the outcome of that review to be within some months, but I would anticipate before the end of this calendar year.

[Lord Stirrup (CB)]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Arbuthnot, referred to Fujitsu. Can the Minister update the House on what financial contribution Fujitsu is expected to make to the cost of the compensation package for the victims of this appalling scandal? In how many government contracts does Fujitsu continue to be involved today?

[Baroness Gustafsson (Lab)]

Fujitsu has acknowledged a moral obligation to support the Government in respect of the financial redress that should rightly be made to the victims of this scandal. We are awaiting the outcome of the Sir Win Williams review, which will go a long way to understanding the scale to which this financial contribution should be made. Ultimately, this will be made in the light of that evidence.

Regarding the ongoing relationship with Fujitsu, Fujitsu has agreed not to make new bids for business within government. That being said, there are existing relationships within departments with Fujitsu, where perhaps they feel that the necessary skills or capability is something that is uniquely held by Fujitsu. In those cases, the contracts may continue to exist, but ultimately that is a decision within the department.