Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many civil servants are working only on compensation for postmasters.

On the 30^th of June, there were 45 FTE civil servants working within the Department for Business and Trade, as of the 30^th of September, there are 56 full-time equivalent (FTE) civil servants working only on redress for postmasters, an increase of 11 FTE since July. The total excludes a further 15 roles for which recruitment is under way. This figure also excludes the expert cases assessment teams which are contracted by DBT and are not civil servants. Further recruitments will follow as the Department implements plans to create an appeals mechanism for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme, as announced in September.