As an ex-miner and Member of Parliament for a coalfield community, I have been contacted numerous times by both constituents and non-constituents, about the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, otherwise known as the BCSSS. It’s a topic close to my heart, as someone who comes from a mining family and community. For many weeks, I had been requesting a debate on the BCSSS, so that I could voice the concerns of around 800 BCSSS members in Ashfield, as well as members across the country.
As I declared during the debate on the 11th of June, I am a member of the BCSSS and the only member who is currently serving as an MP. Since becoming the MP for Ashfield in 2019, I have often spoken about my experiences as a miner and the pride I feel knowing that my friends and I were digging coal, to fuel the nation. The job wasn’t glamorous and was a true example of hard graft in incredibly dangerous conditions. Many of us built a strong comradery that still exists today. The things we saw and the work we did bonded us all and is why the injustice felt by BCSSS members is felt deeply throughout the ex-mining community.
Thousands of ex-miners and their widows have died without receiving the money that they are rightfully owed. Many BCSSS members were automatically transferred to this pension scheme, without consultation, which has only enhanced the sense of injustice they feel. The £2.3 billion investment reserve fund belongs to ex-miners and their families. As I made clear during the Adjournment debate, women are also affected by the BCSSS, as several thousand of them are members and were instrumental to supporting the work that the men did underground. This also extends to the widows of ex-miners who were so often the bedrock of mining families. The average age of a member of the scheme is 75 years old, sadly meaning that our elderly are disproportionately affected by the injustice of the BCSSS. They have faced increased fuel prices, and some would have had their winter fuel payment revoked by this Government. I believe in ensuring that our pensioners are financially secure and receive the pension they are entitled to, so they can enjoy the last ten to fifteen years of their lives, with their families. The case of Paddy Gumley, from Ashfield, is a prime example. Paddy got in touch with me ahead of the debate to tell me that, ‘I am now over 80 years old and have recently been treated for cancer, so time now is of the essence’. It is hard not to be moved by Paddy’s words.
Whilst several Labour MPs were supportive in their interventions during the debate, I was disappointed by the Labour MP for Mansfield, who chose to accuse me of doing nothing about miner’s pensions schemes over the past five years. To be clear, this was my second debate on miner’s pensions. Previously, I met with former Prime Ministers when the Tories were in power, and with a previous Chancellor who refused to budge on it. I’ve met with a former Chief Secretary to the Treasury to discuss this, as well as other Treasury officials. I’ve raised it in the House during oral questions and have written countless letters to ministers on this subject. I know the MP for Mansfield is new to his role, but he should at least do his homework before taking part in a debate. My neighbouring MP could have made a positive contribution; instead, he tried to impress his own whips.
I recognise the work that Minister Sarah Jones has done, having met with her to discuss the BCSSS and from communication I have had with the trustees. I asked Minister Jones to declare her support for the Trustees two requests, to return the entire investment reserve to members as soon as possible and to commit to review how any future surplus will be shared after the investment reserve is returned. I’m glad that the Minister was due to meet with Treasury officials after the debate, however I will remain sceptical of progress until the Government are prepared to deliver us something tangible.
£2.3 billion stuck in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme must be paid to its’ ex-miner members
