Former Miner Advocates for Changes to ‘Unjust’ Pension Payments

A former miner, who is not eligible for recently announced additional pension payments, is urging the government to rectify what he describes as an “injustice.” The Budget released last week included an announcement of an increased pension for individuals enrolled in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS). This measure aims to resolve an issue that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband previously characterized as a “scandal” concerning the historical administration of the fund. Dave Cradduck, who worked for two decades at Haig Pit in Whitehaven, Cumbria, stated that it was “unjust” that “not a penny” would be returned to those participating in a separate scheme. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) indicated that the pension funds function distinctly and that it “must consider the two schemes separately.” Upon the privatization of coal mining in 1994, the government committed to guaranteeing miners’ pensions. Furthermore, the government stated its intention to allocate a portion of the pension fund profits as a reserve, should the fund face insufficient capital in the future. Former miners have advocated for years for the return of funds, and the government has now committed to distributing approximately £1.5bn to 112,000 former coalminers and their families. This commitment exclusively applies to members of the MPS, excluding individuals such as Mr. Cradduck, who were enrolled in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS). Mr. Cradduck characterized the situation as “immoral and unjust.” The 77-year-old stated that the government had withdrawn £4.8bn from the MPS fund and £3.2bn from the BCSSS, implying that members of the latter scheme were also due funds. Mr. Cradduck, whose role in the pit’s ventilation department involved maintaining safe levels of flammable gas underground, further commented: “I greatly wonder whether they’ll ever do anything about it.” He continued: “It’s not their money, it’s our money – we just want our own money back. Is that too much to ask?” Mr. Cradduck noted that while prior administrations had made assurances regarding the pension fund, this marks the initial instance of any funds being disbursed. He questioned: “They obviously think it’s an injustice, and if it is, why isn’t the other scheme treated as an injustice as well?” Individuals impacted by this situation are contacting Members of Parliament to request that their concerns be presented in Parliament. A spokesperson for DESNZ indicated that the department is receptive to reviewing any proposed modifications from the trustees of the BCSSS. The spokesperson further stated: “The BCSSS operates in a different way to the MPS, with the government taking no money from the scheme’s surpluses.” They concluded: “All of that surplus is used purely to fund future pensions.” For updates, follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.