Last year, the government announced that the entirety of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) would be handed over to ex-coalminers and their families.
A deal made when British Coal was privatised in 1994 meant that the government was entitled to half of the surplus cash in the fund, but the reversal meant that around £1.5bn will be transferred into the pension pots of 112,000 former miners.
While the move was welcomed as a reversal of a “historic injustice”, it has also faced criticism as it only applied to those who were part of the MPS, and not those signed up to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS).
With the BCSSS representing around 39,000 members, including those from across Leigh and Atherton, Jo Platt has added her voice to the campaign to fairly reimburse all mineworkers.
READ MORE: Mining museum celebrates £200K National Lottery Fund boost
‘Simply isn’t good enough’
Jo Platt MP said: “For generations, coalfield communities powered Britain at great personal risk and sacrifice. Yet when the pits closed, towns like Leigh and Atherton were left behind.
“Investment into our towns never materialised, and even today, many of these individuals find themselves overlooked, their contributions left behind and sidelined.
“As the Labour MP for Leigh and Atherton, I see this injustice up close. Many of my constituents are members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS), one of the UK’s largest pension schemes with approximately 39,000 members.
“Despite years of service, many still receive different treatment to their counterparts in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS), even when the work was comparable.
“Following years of campaigning, this Labour Government delivered long-overdue justice for MPS members by transferring the Scheme’s £1.5 billion investment reserve to the members, resulting in a 32% pension uplift for thousands of former miners and widows.
“I fully welcomed that decision. However, BCSSS members were left out and that simply isn’t good enough.”
An old image of Astley Green Colliery (Image: Astley Green Colliery) After meeting with BCSSS members and their families, and listening to their solutions and ongoing heartbreak, the MP said that the issue is “deeply personal” as many of these members are constituents, neighbours and friends.
Also speaking with women who worked in the industry who were paid less than their male counterparts, and therefore facing retirement without an adequate pension, Ms Platt said that the ex coal workers’ stories of quiet resilience, pride, and frustration have stayed with her.
This is why Ms Platt has joined other Labour MPs in writing to the Treasury urging Ministers to take action and transfer £2.3bn in reserves to BCSSS members.
‘Rightful ownership’
Jo Platt MP added: “I’m grateful that Ministers are actively engaging with BCSSS trustees and taking this matter seriously. The work is already underway and with political will, the Government can now go further and commit to transferring the final £2.3 billion reserve to BCSSS members.
“Let’s be clear – this is not government money, it already forms part of the Scheme’s substantial assets.
“The investment reserve comes from member contributions and returns generated by the scheme’s assets. It belongs to the pensioners. Transferring it is not a favour, rather it’s a matter of rightful ownership.
“This Labour Government has shown its commitment to coalfield communities and has already demonstrated a willingness to right historical wrongs, all of which I fully welcome. Now, it has another opportunity to do so.
“As the Labour MP for Leigh and Atherton, a coalfield community, I am committed to keeping this issue on the agenda until we get a fair resolution.
“Ahead of the Autumn Budget, I will keep pushing in Parliament, working alongside colleagues, and fighting for the BCSSS members in my constituency.
“The Government has the opportunity to do the right thing. It must prioritise this issue, quickly and decisively, so that no miner, widow, or coalfield family feels excluded from the justice they deserve.”
If you are a BCSSS member in Leigh or Atherton you can contact Jo Platt’s office directly at jo.platt.mp@parliament.uk