The average retired mineworker currently receives a pension of just £84 per week.
Under the current Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, policy dictates that 50% of any surplus made on pensions goes to the Government.
There was no analysis taken before this scheme was introduced, and former mineworkers had no option but to accept this deal, otherwise they would lose their pensions entirely.
The Government have made £4.4 billion to date through this arrangement, and this is set to rise to over £6 billion.
The 29th April 2023 will mark two years since the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee made its recommendations on former mineworkers’ pensions to the Government.
The Committee recommended that the 50:50 surplus sharing arrangement be ended, and the £1.2 billion reserve fund be returned to former mineworkers.
However, despite this, and despite the Conservatives’ ‘categorical’ promise in the last General Election to act on miners’ pensions, the Government has taken no action to implement these recommendations.
As MP for Barnsley East, I represent many former mineworkers and their families. With former mineworkers’ pensions being as low as they are, the Government’s refusal to right this wrong is incredibly unfair.
As the cost of living remains high, former miners must be given the money they are entitled to.
I have continued to raise this issue with the Government, writing to Ministers, meeting with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, and speaking in Parliament to try to encourage the Government to implement the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s recommendations.
Ahead of the Budget in March, I co-ordinated a cross-party ask from MPs representing former coalfield areas, calling on the Government to use the Budget as an opportunity to do just this.
Unfortunately, I was once again disappointed.
The Labour Party have committed to implementing these recommendations if we win the General Election. We would end the 50:50 surplus sharing arrangement and return the reserve fund to former miners.
Every step of the way, former miners have had to fight for what is rightfully theirs. Justice is long overdue.
I will continue to call on the Government to deliver these changes, both in Parliament and across Barnsley East.