Pensions boost for ex-miners

Thousands of ex-miners were seeking compensation

Up to 100,000 British miners, who had to retire early as a result of illnesses acquired while working down coal pits, are to have their pensions topped up by the government.

The £400m deal, to compensate former miners who developed lung diseases and conditions such as vibration white finger, will also benefit miners' widows, who are expected to receive £30m of the package.

Many miners had developed lung diseases

The government's previously-announced coal health compensation scheme gives out payments by considering factors such as damage to health, loss of earnings and care costs.

The absence of agreement on pension compensation had meant that, in most cases, only interim payments had been made.

The Energy Minister, Peter Hain, said in a statement: "The coal health compensation scheme is the biggest compensation scheme in legal history, and reaching agreement on pensions was the last piece of the legal puzzle."

"We have finally swept away the last major hurdle and can crack on with making full and final offers.

He admitted there had been too many delays, but said he was grateful to the claimants' solicitors for their co-operation and would work closely with them to take the progress forward.

"Miners and widows are entitled to their justice and dignity, and the government is determined to deliver it," Mr Hain added.

'Government back-down'

The miners' union Nacods, which had been due to contest the issue in court in the next two weeks, said the government had backed down.

The union's general secretary, Bleddyn Hancock, said he was delighted the last legal obstacle had been removed.

"There is now nothing preventing widows from receiving full and final compensation.

"We must now ensure that the assessment of widows' claims proceeds as fast as possible."