A BARNSLEY MP who has long called for miners to receive the pensions they deserve has joined coalfield constituency colleagues in urging to government to act.
Stephanie Peacock, who represents Barnsley East, also called on the government to review the 50/50 surplus sharing arrangement of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS), and return the £1.2bn reserve fund to retired miners immediately.
She added: “Despite clear cross-party recommendations on the pension, the government have still made no progress towards implementing these plans.
“I am glad that other coalfield colleagues joined me in calling for the government to take action on this important issue.
“However, the government still chose to deny former miners the compensation they are entitled to.
“I urge the Chancellor to rethink this decision, and will continue to fight for justice for miners, in Barnsley and beyond.”
Alex Davies-Jones, who chaired an inquiry into ex-miners’ pensions which had its findings dismissed by ministers, said communities such as Barnsley had its heart ripped out when thousands of jobs were lost in the 1990s.
“The loss of the coal industry removed the economic and social heart of our communities.
“Unfortunately, recovery has too often been slow and partial.
“We welcome the government’s commitment to levelling up but fine words need to be matched by action on the ground.
“We want to use this inquiry to make sure that the distinctive needs of our former coalfield communities are properly addressed.”
