More miners eligible for health claims

Thousands of ex-miners were seeking compensation

Ex-miners who were told they did not qualify for health compensation are to be allowed to make claims.

Prime Minister Tony Blair will reveal on Friday that former colliers suffering from asthma - a condition for which British Coal was not found liable - will now be able to claim damages.

An extra £30m is being set aside by the government so that the payments can be made.

Many miners had developed lung diseases

The news comes just days after an announcement that up to 100,000 British miners forced to retire early because of work-related chest problems would have their pensions topped up in a £400m deal.

In this latest move, the government anticipates making offers ranging from £7,200 to £14,500 to up to 2,000 claimants who were not previously eligible.

Around 800 initial offers will be made over the next two weeks but further claimants who are yet to have lung tests could also fall into this category.

Miners' widows

Mr Blair is expected to reveal the news when he addresses delegates at the Welsh Labour conference in Swansea on Friday.

He will also announce that interim payments will be paid to 4,700 miners widows who were previously given bereavement awards.

The government is paying compensation to retired mine workers whose health was damaged as a result of working for British Coal after 1954 - when the risks were known.

Biggest-ever scheme

The scheme is the biggest of its kind in legal history with 138,000 claims already lodged and 1,000 new claims every week.

The scheme has faced repeated criticisms of delay and bureaucracy, with even ministers admitting it has left them frustrated.

A Labour spokesman said: "Many are aware of the difficulties there have been in paying compensation rapidly to miners suffering mining related illnesses.

"Much progress has been made over the last few months and £1m is going into pockets daily. But the Prime Minister still wants to speed things up."