Victims of the Post Office’s Capture accounting system scandal have urged Labour politician Andy Burnham to accelerate efforts to overturn their criminal convictions and provide adequate compensation. Around 30 former sub-postmasters and their families await court rulings to quash convictions linked to the discredited Capture software, introduced in 1992 and used by thousands of branches prior to the Horizon system scandal.

The Capture system, which predates Horizon, was also found to be faulty following investigations, prompting the government to establish a compensation scheme for those affected. Since its inception, the scheme has received at least 279 claims and paid out more than £8.5 million to individuals who experienced financial losses attributed to Capture shortfalls.

Despite these payments, some victims say the compensation offered falls far short of covering their actual losses. Lee Bowerman, a former sub-postmaster from Ebbw Vale, south Wales, indicated that his offer amounted to only 10 percent of what he believes he is owed. The compensation panel reportedly rejected his claim that Capture-related accounting errors caused the failure of his business.

Bowerman acknowledged Burnham’s vocal support for victims of public scandals such as the Post Office and Hillsborough but called on the politician to fulfil his promise to “do right by all who suffered.” In his first speech in the House of Commons, Burnham drew attention to the Post Office case, noting the stigma sub-postmasters endured after being wrongly branded as thieves.

Another claimant, Steve Marston, who faced convictions for theft and false accounting, called on Burnham to consider expedited legislative action. Marston described the current process—requiring applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and subsequent appeals to the Court of Appeal—as lengthy and burdensome. He urged Burnham to introduce an emergency bill to clear the names of those affected by faults in the Capture system.

The government responded by affirming that it is committed to delivering justice and compensation for all victims. An official spokesperson said that families impacted by the Post Office scandals are finally receiving acknowledgment and redress, and highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure every affected individual receives appropriate compensation “as soon as possible.”