Today I am proud to say that today the Labour Government is ending the historic injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. In the Budget, the Chancellor announced that we are delivering on our manifesto
commitment to return the Investment Reserve to mineworkers, handing back £1.2bn to 112,000 former miners and their families. We are delivering justice for the 1481 families here in Rhonnda and Ogmore and many
more across the country who have been affected by the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.
Our country owes a debt of gratitude to the mineworkers who built our national heritage and powered our country. Many local residents have shared with me their anger at the deep injustice of the Scheme, and that is why I am so pleased that today we deliver on a key pledge in Labour’s manifesto. This will mean a 32% increase to the annual pensions of mineworkers across the country, on average an increase of £29 per week for each member. I want to pay tribute to the many people here in Rhondda and Ogmore who have campaigned for justice on this
vital issue.
The Labour Government also announced today the commitment to reviewing the surplus-sharing agreement to ensure a fairer deal for former miners and their families in the future, with further steps to be outlined in the coming months. With increased payments now going out to miners and their families.
