<p>A range of concessionary fuel entitlements currently exist. DECC is responsible for the National Concessionary Fuel Scheme (NCFS) for the former employees of the British Coal Corporation (BCC) at the time of privatisation. This Scheme is completely separate from the arrangements operated by private coal mining companies that inherited obligations at privatisation or set up their own arrangements. DECC has no legal obligations in relation to these company specific arrangements.</p><p>DECC's obligations under the NCFS are governed by collective agreements established between BCC and the mining unions in the 1980s. Following the privatisation of BCC in 1994, Government assumed liability for the provision of concessionary fuel (or cash in lieu) to former employees of BCC (and their widows) who met the necessary criteria under these arrangements. DECC currently services over 69,000 beneficiaries. It is envisaged</p><p>that the arrangements will last until 2050, with an estimated remaining cost to the tax payer of some £450 million.</p>