Miners' Retraining (Hansard, 31 July 1998)

§ Mr. Battle

I have been asked to reply.

Between 1979 and 1984, training programmes were not offered to miners because many of those affected by colliery closures either took early redundancy or were relocated at another colliery. From 1984 to 1988, miners who left the industry and wished to receive training for alternative employment received funding for such training from the British Coal Corporation. From 1988 to 1994, miners were able to attend centres run by British Coal Enterprise (BCE), a subsidiary company of the British Coal Corporation and discuss their training needs with qualified job consultants.

In cases where there was a reasonable chance of job-specific or skills enhancement training resulting in successful employment, then such training was funded by BCE. There was no definitive list of training courses available. At privatisation at the end of 1994, training programmes for miners seeking employment in other industries are the responsibility of the private coal companies. However, this Government will provide assistance to mining communities through Welfare to Work and other schemes, and to specific projects through the Single Regeneration Budget. EU funding is also available through EU Structural Funds which provide financial assistance that supports training and retraining in coalfield areas via RECHAR programmes. Moreover, 807W training programmes are provided through the Department for Education and Employment, and are available to ex-miners who satisfy the eligibility criteria. These programmes include Employment Training and Training for Work. Support is also available under the New Deal. In addition, the Government have recently received the report of the Coalfields Taskforce. They have warmly welcomed the report and have promised positive action to follow up the recommendations. The Government wish to see regeneration in all areas of need, regardless of the date of collier closures.