On October 31, 2025, a much-anticipated step was taken in the long and painful journey toward justice for the hundreds of postmasters wrongfully accused in the UK’s notorious Horizon IT scandal. The UK government, Post Office Ltd, and Fujitsu Services Limited jointly announced the launch of a national restorative justice programme—an initiative designed not just to compensate, but to listen, acknowledge, and begin to heal the deep wounds left by the scandal. For many, this move represents a new chapter, one that finally recognizes the suffering endured not only by the postmasters themselves but also by their families, whose lives were upended by years of injustice.
The Horizon IT scandal, as reported by Sky News and Vox Political, saw more than 700 postmasters prosecuted for theft and false accounting based on faulty data generated by the Fujitsu-made Horizon computer system. The consequences were devastating: many lost their homes, livelihoods, reputations, and racked up crippling debts as they tried to cover shortfalls that, in reality, never existed. While the government and Post Office have implemented financial redress schemes, the emotional and psychological scars run much deeper—and that’s where the new restorative justice programme steps in.
This initiative is not just about money. As the Restorative Justice Council (RJC), which is running the project, put it, "true restoration requires truth, acknowledgement, accountability and meaningful action beyond financial compensation." The programme, partially funded by Fujitsu, was created following recommendations from Sir Wyn Williams, chair of the official inquiry into the scandal. He urged the government, the Post Office, and Fujitsu to provide "full and fair redress"—not just through payouts, but through a formal restorative justice plan.
One of the most significant aspects of this new approach is its focus on the families of victims. For years, relatives—especially the children of affected postmasters—have called for recognition of their own suffering. As described by Sky News, some have spoken of lifelong trauma, even eating disorders, triggered by the prosecution of a parent. The RJC’s expansion to include children and families marks, in their words, "a significant advancement in the establishment of a national restorative justice programme for those impacted by the Post Office Horizon IT scandal." This long-sought family involvement is more than symbolic; it’s a concrete step toward acknowledging the ripple effects of the scandal on entire households.
The programme’s centerpiece is a series of "Listening and Learning Circles," facilitated by the RJC. These sessions are designed to give victims and their families a safe, confidential space to share their experiences and contribute directly to the design of the programme itself. The first phase has already begun in cities across the UK—Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff, and London—offering up to six supportive sessions per participant, whether in person, online, or via telephone. For those unable to attend in person, online listening sessions are planned, ensuring that all voices have a chance to be heard.
But what exactly does restorative justice mean in this context? According to the RJC, it’s about much more than apologies or financial settlements. The aim is to repair harm by bringing together victims and those responsible, fostering dialogue that leads to truth, accountability, and, ultimately, healing. To that end, the programme is also equipping officials from the Department for Business and Trade, the Post Office, and Fujitsu with the skills needed to engage in restorative dialogue with integrity. Group-based sessions involving these organizations, alongside confidential safe spaces for individuals, are being established. The RJC is even recruiting freelance restorative listeners to help guide these sensitive conversations.
Funding for the listening and wellbeing service comes from Fujitsu, which, as reported by Sky News, has stated it is "morally obligated" to contribute to the costs of redress. However, the final extent of Fujitsu’s financial responsibility remains to be determined by the ongoing public inquiry into the scandal. Meanwhile, the Post Office, being government-owned, means that taxpayer money continues to fund victim payouts.
It’s important to note, as Vox Political does, that this restorative justice initiative is not a replacement for financial compensation. The established Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS) and Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS) continue to offer fixed and assessed payments to eligible victims—up to £600,000 for those whose convictions were quashed, or £75,000 for others who suffered losses. Yet, as many have pointed out, financial settlements alone cannot erase the years of anguish, lost opportunities, and emotional trauma endured by so many families.
For now, the restorative justice programme remains in its pilot phase. Between October 2025 and March 2026, the RJC expects to engage at least 200 additional postmasters, building on the 145 individuals already involved. Feedback from these sessions will directly inform the design of a full, long-term national programme, scheduled to launch in April 2026. An updated report on the progress of restorative justice for Post Office victims is due in January 2026.
Officials have been careful to describe the scheme as a "first step"—an acknowledgement that while the launch is symbolically significant, it’s not the final word on compensation, apology, or wider reform. The Department for Business and Trade has emphasized that the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to meaningful support, but the precise scope and schedule of the programme have yet to be finalized. Many questions remain, especially regarding how emotional and psychological harm will be addressed, and whether formal apologies or further compensation might follow.
Still, the mood among those involved is cautiously optimistic. RJC chief executive Jim Simon told Sky News, "The next phase is about translating their voices into real, restorative action—ensuring that healing, accountability and cultural change progress hand in hand." Engagement so far has been "good and continues to grow," he added, noting the importance of building a process that truly reflects the needs and experiences of those most deeply affected.
For the families of postmasters, this new programme is a long-overdue recognition of the harm they have suffered—and a chance, at last, to have their stories heard. While the road to full justice remains long and uncertain, the launch of the restorative justice initiative marks a meaningful shift: from simply compensating for losses, to acknowledging the human cost of one of the UK’s gravest miscarriages of justice. The coming months will reveal whether this process can deliver the healing and change so many have waited for, but for now, the voices of victims and their families are finally taking center stage.
