- Almost 40,000 former mineworkers across the
UK receive first pension increase, with an
average uplift of £100 a week and one-off £5,500 lump
sum
- Follows the government's decision to transfer
£2.3 billion to members of the British Coal Staff
Superannuation Scheme
- Government has now delivered justice for
all members of the former British Coal pension schemes
Britain's former mineworkers are today (Tuesday 23
December) receiving on average an extra £100 to
their weekly pension payment.
The first 41% payment boost follows the
Chancellor's announcement at Budget that the government
has transferred the £2.3 billion reserve, previously held by
government since 1994, to members of the British Coal Staff
Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS).
The increase will land in members' pockets just in time
for Christmas, ensuring
former colliery workers and staff, who helped
power the country for decades, finally get the just rewards
from their labour.
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 – with more than 5,000 women part
of the scheme, representing 13%
of members.
Last year the government transferred £1.5 billion
to members of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme,
supporting more than 100,000 members across the
UK.
It means that the government
has now delivered a pension uplift for all
members of the former British Coal pension schemes.
Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, 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.
Our members have been key to helping us raise this issue with the
government over the last twelve months and the Trustees would
like to thank them for their support.
The government will meet with Trustees of
the BCSSS in
the New Year to agree a way forward with surplus
sharing arrangements.
The government is driving forward
its clean energy superpower mission, funded
by over £62 billion of record private
investment announced since July 2024 and historic
levels of government funding, to revitalise industrial heartlands
across the UK – including in the coal mining areas that once
powered the nation.
The clean energy sector will employ more than
800,000 people by 2030, as set out in the
government's Clean Energy Jobs
Plan, an increase of over 400,000 from 2023.
These well-paid clean energy jobs will be delivered across the
UK, meaning people will have access to these opportunities in
their hometowns – boosting local investment and delivering
economic benefits to communities that have
previously been left behind.
Notes to editors
The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS), is
one of the largest occupational pension schemes in the UK,
providing benefits for 40,000 pensioners and deferred
members. In 1994 the Scheme was closed following the
privatisation of the coal industry - under the Coal Industry Act
1994.
BCSSS members
receiving an uplift in payments across UK regions:
- Wales: 3,876
- Scotland: 2,581
- North-East: 4,234
- North-West: 1,738
- Yorkshire & Humber: 10,470
- East Midlands: 9,883
- West Midlands: 3,586
- South-East: 988
- South-West: 693
- London: 376
Total: 38,425
