Emma Simpson
Business Correspondent

It is not the first time MPs have opened an inquiry into compensation for those affected by the Post Office scandal.

The Business and Trade Select Committee is again looking at what is going wrong and what ministers can do to speed things up.

Committee chairman Liam Byrne, Labor MP, says that while last week’s Budget made sure there was money in the bank to provide compensation, there weren’t enough checks in the post.

Today, MPs are gathering evidence from several victims, including Sir Alan Bates, who is still awaiting his full and final redress, claiming the whole process has become a gravy train for government lawyers.

The committee will also hear from their legal representatives before putting questions later this month to those responsible for running the various schemes.