Almost 40,000 former miners are set to receive a significant increase of £100 per week in their pensions starting today. This boost, representing a 41% rise, follows years of advocacy to release surplus funds in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) to its members.

The announcement follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ declaration during the Budget that the government has transferred the long-held £2.3 billion reserve back to BCSSS members. In her Budget speech, Reeves emphasized the importance of ensuring fair retirement benefits for those who dedicated their careers to the coal industry.

Affected individuals will also receive a one-time £5,500 lump sum today, retroactive to November 2024 when the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme saw an increase. The BCSSS scheme covers former coal miners and non-mining personnel like engineers, managers, canteen workers, and administrators from collieries nationwide.

With approximately 40,000 BCSSS members, including about 40% women, this move mirrors last year’s government action that allocated £1.5 billion to Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme participants. Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, commended the efforts of miners and activists in rectifying this long-standing issue.

Cheryl Agius, Chair of Trustees for the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme, hailed the historic moment as a result of persistent advocacy and collaboration. She noted the government’s responsiveness to the concerns raised by Trustees, members, and supporting MPs, leading to the transfer of the investment reserve to scheme participants.

The bonus pension increase aligns BCSSS members with their counterparts in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, demonstrating a significant step towards equitable retirement benefits. The Trustees expressed gratitude to members for their crucial role in advocating for this change over the past year.