Andy Burnham has pledged to continue fighting for mineworkers to receive every penny owed to them from the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme scandal. The Greater Manchester Mayor made the promise during a meeting with former miners in Makerfield on Saturday morning, where he also warned that Labour would be 'gone for good' if the party does not change.
Mr Burnham, widely expected to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership if elected, praised the Chancellor’s announcement that members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) will receive £2.3 billion. However, he suggested he could go further, telling this newspaper: 'Coal is not ancient history in Makerfield. It is living memory. The deal that was done under the Tories was a disgrace and an injustice. The government has done the right thing on delivering on the commitment on the MPS and BCSSS schemes but if I am in a position to do something more, I will.'
The scandal dates back to 1994 when British Coal was privatised, and ministers agreed the government would act as guarantor for its pension payouts. Under the deal, any future surpluses would be split 50/50 between the Treasury and scheme members. While working, miners contributed 5.25 per cent of their pay towards their retirement through the pension scheme. However, the fund performed better than expected, handing the Treasury a massive source of extra revenue that successive Tory governments failed to return to miners.
Mr Burnham, who has campaigned on the issue for more than 20 years as MP for Leigh and as Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 'These communities remind me of the strength in our country and heritage. I am more determined than ever to redress this injustice, but also bring good, well-paid jobs back to Makerfield and communities across the country.' He is expected to make a number of policy interventions aimed at protecting and investing in Makerfield in the coming weeks.
