British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme Debate

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Department: Department for Business and Trade

British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme

Lillian Jones Excerpts
Wednesday 11th June 2025

(3 days, 14 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lee Anderson Portrait Lee Anderson
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I will make some progress. As I said, there are 40,000 members left in the scheme, and it will not be that long until there are just a few thousand of us left. Meanwhile, miners and widows die without getting the justice they deserve.

Members may find it hard to believe, but I am 58 years old, and I am one of the youngest members in the scheme. Many members are over 70 years old. In fact, the average age of a member in the scheme is 75, and time is running out for these old colliers to get what they deserve.

Lillian Jones Portrait Lillian Jones (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab)
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Will the hon. Member give way?

Lee Anderson Portrait Lee Anderson
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I will make some progress. It is worth remembering that when the last member of the MPS dies, the billions of pounds in the fund go straight to the Treasury and the Government of the day, and they can spend that money on whatever they like.