Former mineworkers get Christmas pensions boost after budget changes
The move follows the Chancellor's announcement at the Budget that the £2.3 billion reserve would be transferred to former miners
Former mineworkers are receiving on average an extra £100 to their weekly pension payment from today.
The move follows the Chancellor's announcement at the Budget that the £2.3 billion reserve, previously held by Government since 1994, is being transferred to members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS).
Ministers said that with payments backdated to November 2024 when the increase to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme was implemented, members should today receive a £5,500 lump sum on average.
The BCSSS scheme represents former coal miners as well as those who worked in non-mining roles at collieries across the UK - including engineers, managers, canteen workers and administrators.
Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero Ed Miliband said: "I want to pay tribute to all the mineworkers and all the campaigners involved in ending this decades-long injustice.
"Today, thousands will rightly see a 41% uplift in their pension payment just before Christmas - providing them with the retirement they deserve."
Cheryl Agius, chair of trustees of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, said: "This is a historic moment - the result of a year of determination, advocacy and collaboration - and it marks a turning point for the scheme.
"The Government has listened to the trustees, scheme members, and coalfield MPs that have supported this issue, and agreed to transfer the scheme's investment reserve to members.
"Being able to make the first bonus pension increase today brings BCSSS members into line with their former colleagues in the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS), who received their investment reserve in November last year."