? Historic injustice reversed as around 150 mineworkers and their families in Llanelli finally have the investment reserve from their British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) transferred to them, boosting their pensions by an average of £100 a week
? Labour delivers longstanding campaign ask from ex-pit workers, building on previous action taken on the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme
Around 150 former mineworkers living in Llanelli will receive a significant uplift in their weekly pension, overturning an historic injustice and ensuring fair payouts for years to come.
Following the announcement by the Chancellor in yesterday’s Budget, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that the move will mean a 41% per cent boost to the annual pensions of 40,000 former mineworkers across the UK – an average increase of £100 per week for each member.
The trustees of the scheme are expected to make the first uplifted payments to members before the end of the year, with payments backdated to coincide with when the changes were implemented to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.
Dame Nia Griffith, Member of Parliament for Llanelli, who has campaigned alongside former miners and other MPs representing former coalfield communities for the change said:
“For far too long former miners in Llanelli have had to wait for the pension settlement they deserve.
“I am pleased to see a Labour Government taking decisive action to finally end this injustice and deliver what is rightfully owed back to mining families.
“This is a victory for the relentless campaigning of former mineworkers and their local communities here in Llanelli and in coalfield areas across the country.”
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:
“We owe the mining communities who powered this country a debt of gratitude.
“The previous government has failed to deliver justice for former mineworkers and their families.
“Today, I am delighted that we are rightfully transferring the BCSSS investment reserve back to former mineworkers. I pay tribute to the campaigners who have fought for a fair deal – without them this would not have happened.”
Chris Kitchen, General Secretary of the NUM said:
“The NUM welcomes the BCSSS announcement in the Budget and the Labour Government’s recognition that there were two pension Schemes in the mining industry that suffered historic injustice which they have sought to correct.
“The additional pensions this will provide will benefit not just the pensioners but our former mining communities devastated by the closure of our industry.
“A commitment made, a commitment delivered.”
