Nottinghamshire: Former miner welcomes end to ‘long fight’ for pensions

“This is brilliant news,” he told LDRS. “I spent three years, twice a week, behind the counter with a paper petition, and ended up collecting over 100,000 signatures.

“We unveiled it at 10 Downing Street in 2019. The petition raised the possibility of an investigation, which we received in 2021 and which ruled in our favor but never materialized.

“It was a long, long struggle that took a toll on my health. I’ve probably spent over £20,000 in the last decade on travel costs, accommodation and resources such as banners.”

In 1994, when British Coal was privatized, it was decided that the government would receive half of all surpluses from the bank in exchange for guarantees that pensions would not be reduced, LDRS said.

Successive governments have made £4.8 billion from the deal over the past 30 years, and despite repeated calls for a fairer deal, no changes have been made to the scheme.

However, on Wednesday the government announced that the entire miners’ pension scheme would be transferred to members.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the fund will now be passed on to members, ensuring former quarry workers will “finally receive fair compensation for their work”.

Across Nottinghamshire, a total of 3,950 members in Mansfield, 2,415 in Bassetlaw, 738 in Gedling, 596 in Broxtowe, 514 in Rushcliffe, 227 in Nottingham East and Kimberley, 14 in South Nottingham and 10 in North Nottingham will benefit from the move. LDRS.