Reynolds told the inquiry that he bears “ultimate responsibility” at the government level for achieving full, fair and prompt redress for the subpostmasters.

He said there had been a “significant increase in the rate at which compensation has been paid” since the general electionsand told the inquiry he did not believe it had been “at the expense of fair or accurate compensation”.

Also in his testimony Monday, Reynolds said assistant postmasters are not getting “sufficient compensation of what the public wants from the Post Office,” adding that increases in their salaries will require “very significant changes to the post office model.” general business.

‘Corporate culture’

Commenting on the culture within the Post Office in his witness statement to the inquiry, he said: “It is clear that the Post Office’s corporate culture is at the root of this scandal, and I want to make sure the system works. for subpostmasters.

“I support a reform agenda that seeks to turn this ambition into reality.”

Sir Alan Batesleading campaigner and former deputy postmaster, previously told MPs he wanted the Department of Business and Trade to set a deadline of March next year for compensation payments to claimants who took the Post Office to the High Court between 2017 and 2019, also known as the GLO scheme.

Asked if he could commit to the deadline set by Sir Alan, Mr Reynolds said: “The position I am in is that I am trying to make sure that people get redress for a horrendous scandal… at the very least, not I want to do anything that makes that injustice even worse.

“And the concern about the deadline: Can you imagine a situation where, for whatever reason, a claim has not been filed?

“I think it would be inconceivable to say that’s not going to be considered.”