§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Energy what is the maximum payment from public funds that can be paid to a long-serving miner as a redundancy payment or retirement pension; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawA redundant mineworker will receive benefits under some or all of the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978, the redundant mineworkers payments scheme and the mineworkers' pension scheme. He will also receive unemployment benefit and, in certain cases, concessionary coal. Since some of these payments and benefits are related to earnings before redundancy, it is not possible to specify a maximum payment. However, the following examples illustrate likely payments at the top of the range. Both refer to a man whose earnings prior to redundancy were £160 per week, who is married but whose wife is not working
(a) such a man made redundant at age 50 would receive lump sums totally about £17,000, and also early payment of a pension lump sum of about £4,000 otherwise due at age 65. He would receive weekly benefit of about £79, subject to review in the light of the cost of living, continuing, if he remains unemployed, up to age 65; and also the same amounts of concessionary coal as if he had retired normally;(b) such a man made redundant at age 55 would receive lump sums totally about £11,000, his pension lump sum being payable, in addition, at age 60. He would receive weekly benefit of about £106 until he is 60, then £79 to age 65, subject to review in the light of the cost of living and provided he remains unemployed. Again, he would receive the same amount of concessionary coal as if he had retired normally.The redundant mineworkers' payments scheme provides for direct payments by the Government to the men involved; the other benefits are financed wholly or partially by Government grants to the National Coal Board.