Mineworkers’ Pension Schemes: Nottinghamshire

Josh Newbury Excerpts

Wednesday 21st October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Steve Yemm]

I welcome my hon. Friend’s comments and I share that disappointment. I have also to recollect that at the general election in 2019, Boris Johnson stood on the town hall steps in my constituency and committed to putting this right. Those on the Conservative Benches spent five years doing nothing for mineworkers.

There is an economic point too. When we increase the pensions, that money gets spent in our constituencies, in communities that have had decades of decline since collieries closed, and that matters. I have had very good discussions with Ministers and with the trustees of both schemes and I know that a lot of work is ongoing. The Budget is next Wednesday, so I want to put four questions to the Minister.

[Josh Newbury (Cannock Chase) (Lab)]

Before he does, will he give way?

[Steve Yemm]

I will.

[Josh Newbury]

I thank my hon. Friend. He and I both represent thousands of MPS and BCSSS members in our two constituencies alone who, alongside those who have sadly passed away before seeing that full justice, have been fighting this battle for years and years. Does my hon. Friend agree that with a coalfield Prime Minister and a coalfield Chancellor, next week’s Budget is the time to do right by them once and for all?

[Steve Yemm]

Of course, I agree with my hon. Friend; it is very timely indeed.