Campaign for fairer pensions for miners and other British Coal employees.

Wrexham MP Andrew Ranger is part of a group of MPs representing former mining constituencies who are fighting for fairer pensions for all those who worked for British Coal

In the Budget, the UK Government has already authorised the transfer of £1.5 billion Mineworkers Pension Scheme Investment Reserve Fund. This historic decision significantly benefitted constituents in Wrexham and other mining communities including former miners and their widows, with many receiving a 32% increase in their pensions.

Mr Ranger and his colleagues are now turning their attention to those who had pensions with the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS). Many of them also worked underground but also in canteens and offices. They are calling on the UK Government to forgo the final £2.3 billion payment from the BCSSS reserve, due in 2033 and for this reserve to be transferred to BCSSS and ensure fairer pensions for them.

The MPs specifically want to address the injustices faced by women in the coal industry. These women, the majority of whom are BCSSS members, were often paid significantly less than their male colleagues and deserve pension justice in retirement.

Mr Ranger said “We don’t want any miner, widow or employee to be excluded here. There should be justice whichever pension scheme you were part of if you were working for British Coal. This is important for ex-mining communities around Wrexham.”