How much extra cash 8,000 Nottinghamshire ex-miners could get each week

More than 8,000 former Nottinghamshire miners will be getting an average pension increase of more than £100 a month after a "national scandal" was rectified. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the new government's first budget on Wednesday (October 30) that billions of pounds would be handed back to the pension pot for miners.

The Mineworkers' Pension Scheme was privatised in 1994 and it was agreed that the government would split surplus money 50/50 with the pension scheme members. Crucially though, the pension scheme members were told no more than £2 billion was needed to secure the pot for future.

Yet the government ended up taking more than £4 billion and campaigners in Nottinghamshire and other coalfield areas have fought for years to get their money back. Rachel Reeves recommitted to Labour's manifesto pledge that £1.6 billion from a reserve fund would be handed back to miners.

Labour has now confirmed that the change will take effect immediately and affect more than 8,000 ex-miners across Nottinghamshire. The move will mean a 32 per cent boost to the annual pensions of 112,000 former mineworkers across the UK – an average increase of £29 per week for each member. Steve Yemm, the Labour MP for Mansfield, said: "It is a national scandal that former miners in Mansfield and across the wider county have had to fight for so long for the pension settlement they deserve.

"Today, Labour ends this injustice and delivers what is rightfully owed back to mining families. This is a victory for the relentless campaigning of the trustees, members, and coalfield communities here in Nottinghamshire."

As well as handing back over a billion from the reserve fund, the government says it will review the 50/50 surplus arrangements to ensure "former miners and their families get a fairer deal in the years ahead", with further detail due on this in the coming months. Trustees of the pension scheme are now responsible for deciding how the initial money is distributed among its members, with the extra cash set to start appearing in pay packets from November.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "We owe the mining communities who powered this country a debt of gratitude. For decades, it has been a scandal that the government has taken money that could have been passed to the miners and their families.

"Today, that scandal ends, and the money is rightfully transferred to the miners. I pay tribute to the campaigners who have fought for justice - today is their victory."

Chris Kitchen, General Secretary of the NUM said: "The Labour Party recognised the injustice of the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme whilst in opposition. Now in government they have made good on their manifesto commitment to return the Investment Reserve Fund so it can be used to increase pensions.

"This is the change we voted for." The number of former mineworkers getting the immediate uplift include:

• 3,950 in Mansfield
• 2,415 in Bassetlaw
• 738 in Gedling
• 596 in Broxtowe
• 514 in Rushcliffe
• 227 in Nottingham East & Kimberley
• 14 in Nottingham South
• 10 in Nottingham North