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From: Minister THOMAS (DBT)[/O=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE
ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
(FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=4C651F085E554C728BBBD6AAD
83908A3-3466A768-42]
Sent: Thur 25/07/2024 2:02:22 PM (UTC)
To:
DBT Ministerial
“7; Secretary
jomas
of State DBT (DBT} Minister Th
Correspondence (DBT;
Ce: Jason CHEUNG (DBT}
BICKERTON (DBT}
I Harry FALLOWFIELD
Rob BRIGHTWELL
harlotte HEYES
; Ellen WASDEN
Keegan ARLOTT
ia COUTTS-HOWES
lelena RARATY
tiet CLARKE
Stephanie COSSOM
(DBT) 4
Subject: RE: Ministerial Submission - Horizon Shortfall Scheme - HSS Appeals
Mechanism - OFFICIAL SENSITIVE
Attachment: 20240724 - Submission to Ministers on HSS Appeals Process - OFFSEN.docx
Attachment: 20240723 - Letter from GT to CST on Horizon Shortfall Scheme.docx
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE
Hi Liam,
Hope all is well.
The Minister has reviewed and is content with the recommendations in this sub. He is
also content to send the attached latter which I have tweaked slightly.
@Secretary of State DBT (DBT) Jason, please let me know if you/SoS is happy with
this and once confirmed @Minister Thomas Correspondence (DBT) Eve please can
you format and esig the attached letter and send to HMT.
Please note that Minister Thomas is also not unfortunately not a Rt Hon.
Best,
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pa 4 I Private Secretary to the Minister for Services, Small Busine:
Es Department for Business and Trade I Private Office Group
Department for ty, Building I London. [SW1A 2DY. en
Business & Trade GRO:
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE
From: Liam BUTLER(<(DBT) ¢
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2024 5:42 PM
To: Minister THOMAS (DBT) <
Submissi
DBT Ministerial
GRO"
>; Brooks-White Jobshare
Harry FALLOWFIELD (DBT)
Rob BRIGHTWELL (DBT)
Charlotte HEYES (DBT)
; Monique EBELL=(DBT)
>; Richard HOWARD (DBT)
; Eleri WONES (DBT)
i
I GRO
; Olivia COUTTS-HOWES (DBT)
>; Helena RARATY (DBT)
arriet CLARKE (DBT)
tephanie COSSOM (DBT)
Subject: Ministerial Submission - Horizon Shortfall Scheme - HSS Appeals Mechanism -
OFFICIAL SENSITIVE
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE
Hi} GRO Wason,
With thanks to those in copy, please find attached Ministerial advice seeking agreement for
officials to develop an appeals mechanism for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
We will be submitting Accounting Officer advice on this issue to the Permanent Secretary
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shortly, following final clearances. AO clearance is required before proceeding.
As highlighted in the advice, the Secretary of State or Minister Thomas will need to send a
letter to CST to request funding. We have attached a copy of that letter to this e-mail.
Lead private secretary:
Submission title: FOR DECISION: Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals Mechanism
Timing: A decision is required urgently to ensure that an announcement can be made ahead
of the next Inquiry hearings in September, illustrating HMG’s proactiveness and a willingness
to action the recommendations of the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board and the
Business and Trade Select Committee.
Summary: This note recommends introducing an independent, government-administered
appeals process for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).
Recommendation: That Ministers agree to officials:
+ Developing a government resourced and administered independent appeals process
for the HSS with the aim to introduce this as quickly as possible.
* Working with HM Treasury to obtain funding for this process.
+ Aiming to make an announcement on launching a scheme ahead of the Post Office IT
Inquiry hearings in September 2024.
Annexes
Annex A: Background information on the HSS and criticisms it has faced
Annex B: Financial Estimates and Risks associated with Option 1 — additional information
Cleared by: David Bickerton, Director General, Business Group
Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to discuss.
Department for Business and Trade
Liam Butler
st Office Compensation Team
4" Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET
www.gov.uk/beis I https://twitter.com/beisgovuk
OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE