Hero Alan Bates criticizes Fujitsu, the company responsible for the Horizon Post Office scandal, for receiving millions in public funds while victims await compensation. Despite the miscarriage of justice that saw innocent subpostmasters wrongly convicted, Fujitsu continues to operate the flawed Horizon system for the Post Office, even receiving contract extensions worth £42 million in the latest deal. The UK-based Fujitsu Services reported revenues exceeding £1 billion last year, turning a £121 million loss into a £15 million profit.
Post Office CEO Neil Brocklehurst acknowledges the complexity of the Horizon system, indicating it will be in use until 2027. Bates, a victim of the Horizon system’s errors, questions the government’s decision to allocate more taxpayer money to sustain an outdated software program. He calls for the replacement of the Horizon system and questions why Fujitsu consistently secures contracts without competition from other software providers.
Efforts to replace Horizon with an IBM-built system in 2016 failed at a cost of £40 million. The Post Office has spent over £2.5 billion on Fujitsu contracts since 1999, with additional lucrative contracts from government bodies. The government allocated £1.8 billion for compensation payments to Horizon victims following last year’s Budget.
Despite ongoing criticism, Fujitsu remains optimistic about supporting the Post Office’s transition to a new service delivery model. The company plans to contribute to the government’s compensation schemes once the Horizon Inquiry concludes, pausing new government contract bids in the interim.
Post Office CEO Brocklehurst expresses concern for victims and pledges to streamline the compensation process. While facing challenges from the Horizon scandal, he believes the Post Office has the potential to evolve and remain a vital part of communities. The Post Office, still in public ownership, relies on significant government support to sustain its operations amidst financial difficulties. The company aims to maintain its network of 11,500 branches through a turnaround plan funded by taxpayers.
