LEIGH MP Jo Platt met with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell this week to call for action on the miners pensions scheme.

When British Coal was privatised in 1994, an arrangement was made between the Government and the trustees of the British Coal pension schemes on their future.

It was agreed the Government would take over as guarantor for the scheme from British Coal in return for a 50 per cent stake of the surpluses.

Since then, the Government has made £4.4 billion from these surpluses.

The MP has called for the next Labour Party manifesto to deliver justice for ex-miners and their families.

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Ms Platt said “Our ex-miners are the soul of our towns.

"They gave so much to build our community and fuel our country and we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude for their service.

“But for our proud miners to have been treated like this is a disgrace.

"Earlier this year the Commons unanimously passed a motion calling for a review of the scheme, but it has fallen on deaf ears and been ignored by the Conservative Government.

“When I speak to our ex-miners and their families who are struggling to make ends meet it is infuriating that this injustice is continuing with the Government pocketing billions.

“I am glad that the Shadow Chancellor shares our concern and remain hopeful that the next Labour manifesto will deliver justice for our proud ex-mining community."

In response, a Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy spokesman said: “Our Mineworkers’ Pensions Scheme guarantee ensures a member’s pension will always be paid, including inflation increases. 

"Members have received pensions that are approximately 33 per cent larger than would have been the case without this guarantee, and we will continue to make sure this is always the case."