Ex-miners pension scheme :St Helens MP blasts 'disgraceful decison'

This comes as the Government today rejected key recommendations from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee in its inquiry of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) arrangements, published back in April.

With the average pension for ex-miners being just £84 per week – and many receiving less than this – the inquiry found the MPS to be unfair in its current format and recommended several changes that would see billions of pounds returned to pensioners.

Since the scheme’s creation in 1994, the Government has received 50 per cent of surpluses in its value, in return for providing a guarantee that the value of pensions will not decrease.

At the time, it was expected that the Government would receive around £4 billion from the arrangement, yet the actual value has increased to £4.4 billion, with another £2 billion expected off any future surpluses.

The Sutton manor Colliery back in the Day

Since his election in 2015, Mr McGinn has chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Coalfields Communities, which campaigned on this issue, and was a leading signatory on the joint letter of coalfield MPs that called for inquiry to take place.

Mr McGinn said: “It is disgraceful that the Government has rejected our recommendations that would see vital funds go back into the pockets of retired mineworkers.

“Labour would right this historic injustice and finally give ex-miners the fair pension they deserve.”

Since the initial report, Labour have called on the Government to immediately return the £1.2 billion reserve fund to retired mineworkers and change the surplus sharing arrangement, both of which would give more to ex-miners.

The National Union of Mineworkers estimate that returning this £1.2 billion directly to the 152,000 scheme members would boost pensions on average by £14 per week– a lift of £728 a year.

In response to the report, a Government spokesman said: “Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme members are receiving payments 33 per cent higher than they would have been thanks to the Government’s guarantee.

“On most occasions, the scheme has been in surplus, and scheme members have received bonuses in addition to their guaranteed pension.

“We remain absolutely committed to protecting the pensions of mineworkers.”

However, with many dissatisfied with the Government’s response, calls to change the pension arrangements are likely to continue.

In his statement, Mr McGinn emphasised his commitment to the cause: “To former mineworkers here in St Helens borough, across Lancashire and Britain, we won’t give up this fight.”