• 295 mineworkers and their families in Clwyd East have begun to receive their first uplifted payments, boosting their pensions by an average of 32 per cent.

• UK Government delivers longstanding campaign ask from ex-pit workers, alongside new review to also ensure mineworkers receive a fair pension for years to come

• Clwyd East MP pays tribute to mineworkers who fought for justice over many years

Former mineworkers in Clwyd East have begun to receive an uplift in their weekly pension, overturning an historic injustice and ensuring fair payouts for years to come.

The payment follows the UK Government’s reversal of an historic injustice, leading to £1.5billion being transferred to their pension scheme after the Budget.

Former mineworkers are beginning to receive the money now, ensuring former pit workers who powered the country for decades finally get the just rewards from their work.

The uplift represents an average 32 per cent 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.

Becky Gittins MP said:

“I am delighted that former mineworkers in Clwyd East have begun 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.

“This is a significant victory for the relentless campaigning of the trustees, members, and coalfield communities, and will make an immediate difference to people here in Clwyd East.”

• When British Coal was privatised in 1994, the government also agreed to take half of any profits generated by the pension scheme, in return for a guarantee that pensions would increase in line with inflation.
• The scheme has continued to produce strong returns and the government has never paid any funds into it. Therefore, this Government is also delivering on its commitment to review this agreement to ensure former miners and their families get a fairer deal in the years ahead, with next steps set out in the coming months.
• After delivering on the commitment for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, the largest pension scheme for miners in the UK, the government has committed to review any proposals set out by the Trustees of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme – the pensions scheme for former pit managers, which is run on a different basis as the government takes no money from any surpluses.