Coalfields Regeneration Trust has its funding cut
Forty years on from the Miners’ Strike a trust set up to tackle the social and economic issues that followed the death of the industry has had its funding cut by the Scottish Government.
Lanarkshire communities were among those to suffer acutely following the end of Scotland’s mining industry with the country’s main coal belt, commonly known as the Central Coalfield, almost entirely located here.
In many parts of Lanarkshire, coal mines were at the very heart of life in the communities, and their economies.
Among the dozens of pits were ones in or around Wishaw, Airdrie, Shotts, Coatbridge, Blantyre, Moodiesburn, Cardowan, Hamilton Palace, Coalburn, and Lesmahagow.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT), which was established in 1999 to tackle issues as a result, is urging the Scottish Government to reverse what it describes as a “damaging cut in funding” to coalfield communities.
The Miners’ Strike, which took place from 1984 to 1985, was a drawn-out affair which had a devastating effect on communities in Lanarkshire and elsewhere, and many of them still suffer from health, skills and employment issues.
According to CRT, on many measures the resultant issues are around twice as bad as the Scottish average.
Ravenscraig became a focal point as striking miners picketed the steel works after management there imported coal to keep the furnaces firing.
Almost 300 men on the Ravenscraig picket line were arrested on a solitary day in May 1984.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was established with a revenue grant from the Scottish Government worth £1.5 million (in 1999 prices).
However, this grant was reduced to £750,000 in 2011 before being cut again to £650,000 in 2023.
Last year, Scottish Government procurement rules prevented the CRT awarding grants to smaller grassroots charities.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is calling on the Scottish Government to reverse the “damaging £100,000 cut” in funding it provides, and to change the procurement rules which would allow it to reinstate its grant programme and provide vital funding to small charities.
It is also asking the Scottish Government to provide a capital endowment fund which would allow the Trust to build industrial units for SMEs, generating jobs and economic growth while providing a sustainable, long term revenue stream to regenerate Scottish coalfield communities without relying on the current revenue grant.
A joint letter from charities, councillors and community organisations in former coalfield communities has supported these measures and urged Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning, to reverse the funding cut.
Amongst the signatories are representatives of Getting Better Together Ltd in Shotts, Glenboig Development Trust, Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society, and Blantyre Soccer Academy.
During a debate held in the Scottish
Parliament on December 19, led by Alex Rowley MSP, there was crossparty support expressed for Coalfields Regeneration Trust from SNP, Labour and Conservative MSPs.
Among them was Coatbridge & Chryston MSP Fulton McGregor, who said: “In the near 25 years since the CRT’s establishment, it has been invaluable in improving the health, skills and employment for the almost 6 million people who currently live in those coalfield areas across the UK.”
A Scottish Government said: “We supporting the valuable work of Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) with a substantial grant of nearly £650k in 2023/24, enabling the Trust to sustain its core operations and deliver its programme of work in Scotland.
“This builds on over £28 million provided to CRT to date. The support provided to CRT is part of a range of investment we deliver to support coalfield and disadvantaged communities across Scotland.
“We will continue to support CRT as far as we are able within the challenging budget context.”