Mineworkers receive first pension increase
Jim Scott/BBCChristmas has come early for thousands of North East and Cumbrian mineworkers who have received their first pension increase.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in her Budget that members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) would receive £2.3bn, which has been held by the government since 1994.
Payments will be backdated to November 2024, meaning members will receive an average one-off payment of £5,500 as well as a £100 weekly uplift.
Stuart Porterhouse, who spent 32 years working at five North East collieries, said he was "very pleased", while Dave Cradduck, who spent 20 years at Haig Pit in Whitehaven, Cumbria, said it would make a "big difference" to Christmas this year.
Minister for Industry Chris McDonald said the money would have a "big impact".
Last year, former miners and their families marched on Downing Street to call for a better deal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Labour said it had now delivered justice for former colliery workers and staff.
McDonald said: "Across the whole of County Durham, from Spennymoor to Seaham, this money will have a big impact."
Mr Porterhouse said he was "very pleased that this government has done what it is supposed to do and returned justice to the former mineworkers".
Reeves announced in last year's Budget that members of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS) would receive extra payments, but at the time nothing was guaranteed for BCSSS members.
Mr Cradduck, who spent 20 years at Haig Pit in Whitehaven, Cumbria, said: "It will make a big difference to my grandchildren's Christmas this year."
He said: "Everyone else got theirs 12 months ago, last year I was quite excited that we were going to get some of our own money back.
"Then I was disappointed and annoyed that we weren't included - I spent 20 years down the mine."