Scots miners secure £80m pay-out

Thousands of Scottish miners have lodged claims

More than £80m has been paid to former Scottish miners suffering from health problems, the UK Government has announced.

Ministers said that more than £2m in compensation was paid out in September alone.

They also pointed out that more claims were being settled in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.

Brian Wilson is speaking in Dunfermline

However, campaigners argue that there are still long delays - and that cash has been received by less than a quarter of those who have lodged claims.

The announcement was due to be made on Friday by Energy Minister Brian Wilson.

He will tell former miners in Dunfermline that the progress being made in Scotland is more rapid than anywhere else in the UK.

More than 20,000 ex-miners in Scotland suffering from lung disease and Vibration White Finger (VWF) have applied for compensation through the Department of Trade and Industry schemes.

However, less that a quarter of those claims have been settled.

Compensation schemes

There are still 800 claims coming in every week north of the border.

Campaigners say they are pleased settlements are being made, but are still frustrated by the lengthy delays.

The DTI runs two major compensation schemes for miners.

They were negotiated between the DTI and representatives of miners' solicitors following court judgements which found British Coal liable for the injuries.