Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North and Minister for Industry, admitted he understands the anger felt in communities like Durham and Northumberland, where decades of decline since the pits shut have fuelled resentment. But with Reform UK gaining traction in these areas, McDonald is hoping a long-awaited pension boost for ex-mineworkers will help restore faith in Labour.
More than 40,000 former pit workers across the UK, including 4,200 in the North East, will receive a one-off £5,500 payment just before Christmas. The Government says it’s “reversing a historic injustice” by releasing £1.5 billion from a long-held reserve in the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. A further £2.3 billion is being handed to non-mining staff in the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
McDonald, who grew up in a colliery village in County Durham, said: “I understand how upset and annoyed people feel by the state of their towns… What I hope people will do is judge us by results at the next general election.” He added that the only Government that would have delivered this payout was a Labour one.
The message is clear, Labour wants to win back trust before the next election. But with Reform UK continuing to rise in the polls, especially in ex-industrial heartlands, it’s clear many voters are no longer convinced by promises from Westminster.