The Government is looking to recruit an independent reviewer to examine historical Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) prosecutions of Post Office staff for welfare-related fraud.
The review will cover the period from 23 September 1996 to 31 March 2012, with applications closing at 10am on 13 April 2026.
To ensure full independence, the reviewer will be appointed through an open external recruitment process, overseen by a panel with an independent chair, which is open now.
Once appointed, the new reviewer will produce a report for the Permanent Secretary, setting out any findings and recommendations.
During the Horizon period, the DWP prosecuted around 100 Post Office staff for welfare-related fraud, such as theft of benefit books. Horizon data did not play an essential role in any of its prosecutions and instead it relied on direct evidence, including surveillance, stolen benefit books recovered from Post Office premises, handwriting analysis and witness statements from claimants.
Since 2022, the DWP has searched its archives, reviewed thousands of files and written to courts to recover relevant material. That work also found no evidence that Horizon data played an essential role in any of its prosecutions.
Now, to provide an additional layer of assurance, the independent reviewer will assess whether the department’s approach has been thorough and robust. Following discussion with the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board, individuals and organisations can submit information directly to the reviewer.
Note - the DWP doesn’t have the power to review criminal convictions. The appropriate route is through the courts or by applying to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which has the power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal.
Anyone wishing to apply for the role of reviewer can do so here in advance of the deadline.
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