§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the estimated cost to public funds for a 55-year-old redundant mineworker during the first year of unemployment and the cost per year thereafter.
§ Mr. Giles ShawStatutory redundancy payments and payments under the redundant mineworkers payments scheme (RMPS), made to a mineworker declared redundant at the age of 55 currently amount on average to a total of about £12,000 during the year redundancy occurs. He can also draw unemployment benefit during that year. Thereafter, up to the normal retiring age, he receives payments under the RMPS and from age 60, through his pension scheme, which together average at present about £3,500 a year.