The Greater Manchester Mayor met former mineworkers over breakfast in Makerfield on Saturday morning, where he also warned Labour would be ‘gone for good’ if the party didn’t change
Andy Burnham has vowed to “keep fighting” to ensure miners are paid every penny owed to them over the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme scandal.
The Greater Manchester Mayor met former mineworkers over breakfast in Makerfield on Saturday morning, where he also warned Labour would be “gone for good” if the party didn’t change.
Mr Burnham, who is widely expected to challenge Keir Starmer for the leadership if elected, praised the Chancellor’s announcement that members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) will receive £2.3billion, but suggested he could go even further.
He told 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.
“I have stood with coalfield communities for more than 20 years, and as Makerfield’s voice in Westminster, I will keep fighting to make sure every promise is honoured and every penny reaches the people it is meant for.”
The Sunday Mirror has long backed the campaign to get retired miners a fairer deal.
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 they were working miners contributed 5.25 per cent of their pay towards their retirement through the pension scheme.
However, the fund has done much better than expected, handing the Treasury a massive source of extra revenue that successive Tory Governments failed to return to miners.
Following the meeting, Burnham 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.”
It comes with Mr Burnham expected to make a number of policy interventions aimed at protecting and investing in Makerfield in the coming weeks.
The former Health Secretary has campaigned on the issue for more than 20 years, including as MP for Leigh and as Mayor of Greater Manchester, working alongside former miners, widows, trade unions and coalfield campaigners.