Compensation boost for ex-miners

Only miners who worked underground for 10 years or more are eligible

Thousands of former pit workers who have a condition known as miners' knee can now claim compensation from the government, it has been announced.

Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said osteoarthritis of the knee was to be added to the list of prescribed diseases.

That means sufferers may now apply for compensation through the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

The change is expected to come into force in the summer.

Mr Purnell said: "It is right that this help should be available to coal miners who are suffering from this painful condition following years of hard work.

Thousands eligible

"This disease has made life very difficult for a large number of retired miners and forced others to end their working life earlier than planned.

"I am pleased that we are now in a position that we will be able to offer them valuable financial assistance."

Kitty Ussher, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, made the announcement during a visit to the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield on Wednesday.

"I'm very pleased that this help is now available to those miners who, through no fault of their own are afflicted with this condition," she said.

"We estimate that thousands of former miners will now be able to benefit from this aid."

Ministers acted on a recommendation from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council that miners with the disease who have worked underground for 10 years or more should be eligible to claim benefit.

Symptoms of the disease include pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility.