{"id":840243,"date":"2025-04-10T04:11:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T09:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/10\/post-office-gets-extra-136m-towards-tech-transformation-as-clock-ticks-on-horizon\/"},"modified":"2025-04-10T04:11:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T09:11:55","slug":"post-office-gets-extra-136m-towards-tech-transformation-as-clock-ticks-on-horizon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/10\/post-office-gets-extra-136m-towards-tech-transformation-as-clock-ticks-on-horizon\/","title":{"rendered":"Post Office gets extra \u00a3136m towards tech transformation as clock ticks on Horizon"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"content-header\">\n<h2>Latest handout means government has given the Post Office more than a quarter of a billion pounds in \u2018further\u2019 funding, with half destined to support its technology transformation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-center\">\n<ul>\n<li><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i data-icon=\"2\"><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"contributors-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Karl-Flinders-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"Karl Flinders\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Karl-Flinders\">Karl Flinders,<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n\tPublished: <span>09 Apr 2025 9:14<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"content-body\">\n<p>The government has handed the Post Office \u00a3136m more in taxpayer\u2019s money towards its core technology transformation project. This is part of a total of \u00a3277m in \u201cfurther\u201d funding which the government said will also go towards ensuring the Post Office has the resources needed to administer financial redress payments to subpostmasters affected by Horizon scandal.<\/p>\n<p>The additional tech funding comes as just 11 months remains on its contract with Fujitsu, which supplies its controversial core branch accounting system.<\/p>\n<p>Horizon, as the system is known, is at the heart of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/feature\/Post-Office-Horizon-scandal-explained-everything-you-need-to-know\">a national scandal<\/a> but looks set to stay for years to come while the Post Office makes changes to its IT gradually, rather than in a \u201cbig bang\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The government said the funding for the Post Office will help to support the breadth of the network. \u201cThis will enable Post Office to deliver technology transformation and give them the resources to continue administering redress payments to postmasters,\u201d said a statement from Post Office owner, the Department of Business and Trade.<\/p>\n<p>Post Office minister Gareth Thomas announced the funding as he outlined a new appeals process for scandal victims unhappy that financial redress settlements did not reflect their losses and suffering.<\/p>\n<p>The Post Office has stalled in its attempts to replace Horizon, which became necessary following the 2018 group litigation order, when 555 subpostmasters led by Sir Alan Bates proved that the Post Offices Horizon system caused errors they were blamed and punished for. The Post Office later embarked on its New Branch IT (NBIT) project. It promised in-house developed software to replace Horizon.<\/p>\n<p>But the programme ran into serious problems. Computer Weekly revealed in May last year that a review by government project management experts at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366586814\/Post-Office-Horizon-replacement-project-labelled-unachievable-as-taxpayer-bill-reaches-1bn\">rated the project as \u201ccurrently unachievable<\/a>\u201d, with budgets ballooning from \u00a3180m to \u00a31.1bn and implementation being delayed by as much as five years.<\/p>\n<p>In October, Computer Weekly revealed that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366613496\/Post-Office-set-to-axe-in-house-development-for-NBIT-software\">NBIT system was set to be dumped<\/a> in favour of an off-the-shelf electronic point of sale (EPOS) alternative.<\/p>\n<p>The Post Office scrapped its NBIT project and has now replaced it with Future Technology Portfolio (FTP). The Post Office said FTP \u201cis a five-year plan to transform technology and data across Post Office. It is our aim that FTP will address technology needs strategically and holistically across the business, so it goes beyond just replacing Horizon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A Post Office spokesperson said:<i> <\/i>\u201cWe welcome the government\u2019s announcement today on funding, which includes up to \u00a3136m for our Future Technology Portfolio in 2025\/26. We are looking at Post Office\u2019s technology and data strategically to ensure that we reduce central costs and provide postmasters with the tools they need to serve their customers and run profitable businesses into the future.\u201d<i> <\/i><\/p>\n<p>In December, Computer Weekly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366616881\/Controversial-Horizon-system-to-remain-in-Post-Office-branches-as-part-of-tech-fusion-says-source\">revealed Post Office plans<\/a> to use a combination of existing Horizon functionality, in-house software and off-the-shelf platforms as part of a tech fusion. This would see Horizon retained under the control of the Post Office, with software developed in-house, some of which was done under NBIT, and off-the-shelf software from suppliers used.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Post Office said it is moving to new technology service partners as part of the FTP and is using software developed in the NBIT project. It has also confirmed it is working with the Horizon system. Sources told Computer Weekly t<span>he Post Office is currently installing new hardware in branches which will be used with Horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a five-year plan, and postmasters who are currently using Horizon need a system that is stable and reliable,\u201d said the Post Office. \u201cSo, in the short term, we are investing in software and hardware to make sure [Horizon] is fit for purpose and we will continue to refresh and enhance the technology that is available for postmasters and their customers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Horizon contract with Fujitsu has been renewed several times over the past couple of years, but the Post Office will have to take it in-house if it remains after March 2026, when its contract with the Japanese supplier finally ends<\/p>\n<p>The Post Office scandal was\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/2240089230\/Bankruptcy-prosecution-and-disrupted-livelihoods-Postmasters-tell-their-story\">first exposed by Computer Weekly in 2009<\/a>, revealing the stories of seven subpostmasters and the problems they suffered due to the accounting software\u00a0<i>(see timeline of Computer Weekly articles about the scandal below). <\/i><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"DigDeeperSplash\">\n<h4>\n\t\t\t<i data-icon=\"m\"><\/i>Read more on IT for retail and logistics<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366621280\/Kroll-reviewing-Post-Office-Horizons-current-integrity-and-discrepancy-identification\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/software-code-error-Bigc-Studio-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/software-code-error-Bigc-Studio-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/software-code-error-Bigc-Studio-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Kroll reviewing Post Office Horizon\u2019s current integrity and discrepancy identification<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Karl-Flinders-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"KarlFlinders\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Karl\u00a0Flinders<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366620384\/Post-Office-scandal-data-leak-interim-compensation-offers-made\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/security-data-breach-stolen-Shawn-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/security-data-breach-stolen-Shawn-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/security-data-breach-stolen-Shawn-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Post Office scandal data leak interim compensation offers made<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Karl-Flinders-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"KarlFlinders\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Karl\u00a0Flinders<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366620536\/Government-announcement-on-Fujitsu-talks-add-vague-words-and-no-interim-payment\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/Fujitsu-building-Germany-Editorial-Use-Only-dvoevnore-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/Fujitsu-building-Germany-Editorial-Use-Only-dvoevnore-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/Fujitsu-building-Germany-Editorial-Use-Only-dvoevnore-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Government announcement on Fujitsu talks add \u2018vague words\u2019 and no interim payment<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Karl-Flinders-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"KarlFlinders\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Karl\u00a0Flinders<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366619960\/Metropolitan-Police-concern-puts-brakes-on-Post-Office-Horizon-data-migration\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/Met-Police-London-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/Met-Police-London-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/Met-Police-London-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Metropolitan Police concern puts brakes on Post Office Horizon data migration<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Karl-Flinders-profile-pic-2022-140x180px.jpg\" alt=\"KarlFlinders\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Karl\u00a0Flinders<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366622179\/Post-Office-gets-extra-136m-towards-tech-transformation-as-clock-ticks-on-Horizon\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Lawanda Damron<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Latest handout means government has given the Post Office more than a quarter of a billion pounds in \u2018further\u2019 funding, with half destined to support its technology transformation By Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA Published: 09 Apr 2025 9:14 The government has handed the Post Office \u00a3136m more in taxpayer\u2019s money towards<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":840244,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22858,980,46],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-840243","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-extra","8":"category-office","9":"category-technology"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=840243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/840243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/840244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=840243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=840243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=840243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}