Past injustices over miners’ pensions ‘should be addressed’ says Labour MP

PAST injustices should be addressed, a Labour MP said as he called on the Government to reform mine workers’ pensions.

Grahame Morris accused Ministers of neglecting deprived mining communities, with some retired miners receiving just £10 a month under the current scheme.

Since the privatisation of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme in 1994, the Government has received 50 per cent of surpluses in its value, which amounts to £4.8bn.

In an emotional speech, the Easington MP said coalfield communities have never fully recovered from de-industrialisation.

He told the Commons: “The Government have ignored and neglected our most deprived mining communities, far from levelling-up, Conservative Ministers have widened economic inequality.”

Mr Morris added: “Low wealth in our region coincides with low wages, making my region in the North East the lowest paid region in the country. The Government could alleviate this in part by addressing past injustices and ensuring retirement security for mine workers and their widows, by reforming the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, in line with the (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy) select committee recommendations that were published in April 2021.

“A legacy of mining is industrial disease, cutting lives short, including that of my own father and grandfather, both coalminers who passed away in their 50s before reaching retirement age.”

Communities Minister Lee Rowley said that “Labour do not own the story of mining in our country”, adding: “Labour do not get to disregard the settled pension arrangements, arrangements defended by the Labour Party for 13 years when they were on this side of the House.” Mr Rowley accepted “there is more to do on levelling-up”, but added: “At least this Government has made progress.”