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The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s first report volume was published on 8 July 2025. It focused on the scandal’s human impact and compensation—not the Inquiry’s complete findings. As of 8 July 2026, five further volumes were still being prepared, with no publication date announced.
When were the first findings published?
On 15 May 2025, Inquiry Chair Sir Wyn Williams said he intended to publish the first part of his final report that summer, focusing on redress and the human impact of the Horizon scandal. On 20 June, the Inquiry confirmed that Volume 1 would be published on 8 July. It was published and laid before Parliament on that date. The Inquiry’s publication notice set out the date and subject matter.
The word “summer” in the original announcement meant summer 2025. The first volume has appeared; the remaining report has not.
What did Volume 1 cover?
Volume 1 examined the suffering experienced by people affected by the scandal and the efforts of the Post Office, the responsible Minister and the Department to provide redress that was “full, fair and prompt.” Its recommendations addressed compensation and restorative justice. It did not contain the Inquiry’s conclusions on every phase of its work.
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The Inquiry highlighted several of the volume’s 19 urgent recommendations:
- The Government and Post Office should agree a definition of “full and fair” compensation.
- Claimants in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme should receive Government-funded legal advice.
- Close family members should be eligible for compensation.
- Fujitsu, the Post Office and the Government should publish a restorative justice programme or a progress report.
These are examples, not the complete set of recommendations. The published Volume 1 report contains the findings and all 19 recommendations.
What evidence and inquiry figures did it include?
The Inquiry said Volume 1’s findings were based on hearings and evidence submitted through 6 June 2025. In its 8 July 2025 publication statement, it reported that the Inquiry had held around 225 hearing days, heard from 298 witnesses and disclosed around 274,600 documents to Core Participants. Those are figures reported at the time of publication, not current totals.
When will the rest of the report be published?
As of Sir Wyn’s 8 July 2026 update, five volumes remained in preparation. Together, they are intended to cover the period from the birth of Legacy Horizon to a suitable date in 2026. The Chair said the evidence and submissions had made the work more extensive than he originally estimated. He gave no publication date and said he was still months from completing the work. His update explains the status and publication plan.
The remaining volumes are to be published together rather than one by one. Sir Wyn said volumes 2 to 5 were inextricably linked and should be read together, and that publishing volume 6 before them would not be useful. The Inquiry’s current timetable is therefore not a promise of a particular release day.
Why is publication taking longer?
The Chair cited the volume and complexity of the evidence and submissions, as well as the work required before publication. That work includes Maxwellisation: people and institutions likely to be criticised receive written notice of the substance of proposed criticism and time to respond. The Chair considers those representations before deciding whether a criticism should be changed or removed from the final report.
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In the July 2026 update, Sir Wyn said warning letters for people criticised in volumes 2 and 3 had been sent, with letters for volumes 4 to 6 expected over the following months. The process was underway, but the Chair said the necessary work was still months from completion.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the Inquiry investigating?
The Inquiry began as a non-statutory inquiry on 29 September 2020 and became statutory on 1 June 2021. Led by retired High Court judge Sir Wyn Williams, it is examining Horizon’s implementation and failings over more than 20 years, including consequences such as sub-postmasters’ suspensions, contract terminations, prosecutions and convictions. Its remit also includes whether the Post Office learned lessons and embedded cultural change. The Inquiry’s description of its remit provides further context.
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