16 hours Ago
The payment follows the Labour Government’s reversal of a historic injustice, leading to £1.5 billion being transferred to their pension scheme last month. Former mineworkers have received the money in their pockets, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades finally get the just rewards from their work.
The uplift represents an average 32% rise to the annual pensions of 112,000 former mineworkers and their dependents across the UK – an average increase of £29 per week for each member. Former mineworkers and their families have fought for justice for many years. In a landmark decision, the fund - worth £1.
5 billion – has been handed over to the pension scheme, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades are finally getting the just rewards from their work. Mary Kelly Foy, local MP for the City of Durham, welcomed the announcement, saying: “I am delighted that over 500 former mineworkers in the City of Durham will be receiving a significant uplift in their pensions. “It is a national scandal that former miners in our area have had to fight for so long for the pension settlement they deserve.
“It’s a victory for the relentless campaigning of the trustees, members, and coalfield communities, and will make an immediate difference to people in the City of Durham. “I also pay tribute to the hard work of the Durham Miners’ Association, and Marras everywhere, for their efforts in righting this wrong.” Alan Mardghum, Secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association, welcomed the announcement, saying: “On behalf of MPS beneficiaries in the North East Area, I would like to pay tribute to all those who fought this injustice for many years to bring about this positive result.
“The Durham Miners Association had consistently said that we needed the political will to right the historic wrong and this proved to be the case when the Labour government honoured the manifesto commitment to return some of the money to former miners.” Chris Kitchen, General Secretary of the NUM, said: “The Labour Party recognised the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme whilst in opposition. Now in Government, they have made good on their manifesto commitment to return the Investment Reserve Fund so it can be used to increase pensions.
“This is the change we voted for.” Don’t miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to the Northern Echo by clicking here Most read Secretary of State for Energy Ed Miliband said: “This Labour Government has kept our promise to return money rightfully owed to ex-miners and their families- and today thousands of people will receive the money they deserve in their pension as a result.
“Today marks an end to a decades-long injustice that has denied thousands across the country the decent pension that they so undeniably deserve. “We have delivered on our promise to right this wrong and I hope members and their families can enjoy the victory that they have waited far too long for.”.
