Easington MP Grahame Morris has welcomed the Government’s announcement that discussions will soon begin with Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees on delivering Labour’s manifesto commitment to reforming the pension scheme.

In response to a parliamentary question from Mr. Morris, Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, announced that work has already commenced across the Government to fulfil their manifesto commitments. She stated, “I will be meeting the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees shortly to discuss the best way to deliver our commitments.”

In May, prior to the General Election, Grahame Morris MP organised a demonstration on Downing Street and led a parliamentary debate in support of retired mineworkers. He advocated for ending the unfair surplus sharing arrangement that has previously taken billions out of the pockets of retired miners and their widows.

Following the response from the newly elected Labour Government, Grahame Morris MP said:

“For the first time in many years, we have hope for real change in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. Successive governments have taken billions out of the scheme through the unfair surplus sharing arrangements.

We now have hope that, rather than taking money out of the scheme, a Labour Government will transfer the £1.2 billion investment fund, putting money back into the pockets of retired miners.

This injustice will only end when the surplus sharing arrangements are reformed, and the government stops taking money out of the pension fund.

These are still early days for the Labour Government, but I am pleased that fulfilling our manifesto promises to our coalfield communities has been made a priority.”

End.

Parliamentary Question

Grahame Morris (Labour) Easington:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero when he plans to bring forward proposals relating to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme to (a) reform the surplus sharing arrangements and (b) transfer the Investment Reserve Fund to scheme members.

Sarah Jones (Labour) Croydon West: Answered on 22 July 2024

Work has already started across the Government to deliver on our manifesto commitments. I will be meeting the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees shortly to discuss the best way to deliver our commitments.

https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-07-17/47